Investigation on P.B.I. Bentonite Kashmir (Jammu & Kashmir State)

The bentonite sample under the name P.B.I. was received from Directorate of Mining and Geology, Jammu and Kashmir Government, Srinagar. The sample as received was in the form of lumps, having a pinkish colour with dull waxy lustre and a soapy touch. It was crushed and passed through 100 mesh sieve of the U.S. Sieve series which was then used in the investigation. Following tests were conducted on this bentonite as moisture content , chemical analysis, pH-value, gel strength, swelling index, dry fineness, wet fineness, Petrological examination, total base exchange capacity, differential thermal analysis, Na/Ca ratio using Fame Photometer, sintering range and bonding characteristics .