Ultrasonic investigation of the structure of heat-treated bentonite glass fibers

Abstract

Ultrasonic techniques were used to monitor the structural changes that occur in leachable bentonite glass fibers as a result of specially selected thermal treatments. Values of the parameters time, velocity of propagation of ultrasonic waves, and the Young's modulus were determined for fibers that had been subjected to various temperatures (300 to 500 °C) and to various treatment times (1, 3, 5, 7, and 24 h) . It was found that ultrasonic echoscopy offers an effective means for monitoring the structure of leachable bentonite glass fibers. Depending on the desired goal, the ultrasonic echoscopy techniques make it possible to select optimum heat treatments that will lead to the formation of porous structures (adsorbents and catalyst carriers) with specified properties.