Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1695967 Applied Clay Science 2009 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

In their paper, Zhang et al. (2009) report on a series of nanoindentation experiments on muscovite and rectorite, two clay minerals with very different interlayer structures. Their work raises a fundamental question regarding the mechanical definition of a single clay mineral. Furthermore, if such a definition is possible, is nanoindentation capable of assessing the mechanical behavior of a single clay mineral? Comparison of Zhang et al.'s results with previously published nanoindentation results on shale, and with results of other methods of assessing the mechanical behavior of single clay minerals, provides an avenue to address these questions. In a final analysis, it may be impossible to strictly define the mechanical behavior of a single clay mineral without the additional context of specific applications.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Geochemistry and Petrology
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