Ceramics-Silikáty 23, (1) 11 - 21 (1979)

The imbibograph consists of (1) a sorption part, (2) an analytical balance adapted for an electrical weighing of liquid absorbed in the course of time, and (3) a recording system. The sorption part consists of two small glass vessels containing the liquid used (most often distilled water), connected with flexible tubing. In the first vessel, fixed on a holder outside the analytical balance, the liquid reaches up to a fritted glass which is overlain by a dense filter carrying a pressed sample. The second vessel, resting on the left pan of the balance, contains a sufficient reserve of feeding liquid. The imbibometric curve expresses the ratio sorption weight/time. The 200 mm range of the recorder scale may be adjusted for the required sensitivity between 20 mg and 5 grams, which permits the different imbibition rates and capacities for various substances to be followed. Each batch of clay materials (or any insoluble powder) is most often 0.500 g, the temperature of the liquid being 20 °C ± 2 °C. Examples of imbibition curves and a survey of imbibometric data of various clay minerals and clays from well known localities are presented.