Investigation on Cutch Bentonite received from M/s Mukund Iron & Steel works Limited Kurla, Bombay

The bentonite sample was received from M/S Mukund Iron & Steel Works Ltd., Bombay. The sample as –received was of cream colour and in powder form. Tests were conducted on sample that passed form 100 mesh sieve of the Sieve series. After testing, the sample had an initial moisture content of 11.20 percent and pH 8.75. Both these values were in agreement with the tentative specification for “Western bentonites” laid down by SFSA. The chemical analysis of the sample showed it to consist of 41% silica and rather a high percentage (10%) of oxides, of iron whole the total alkali and alkaline earth oxides, amounted to 6.6 % .Loss on ignition was about 20%, which seemed to be normal in the case of bentonites. Studies on bonding characteristics of the sample showed it to develop maximum green compression strength of 12.7 Ibs/sq. in at 1.4 percent moisture on addition of 5% of the sample to Rajmahal silica sand of A.F.S. grain fineness No.55. However, the sand specimens tempered with less than 1.4 percent moisture content, were friable at the surface and had low shatter indices.