Direct visualization of particle disposition in kaolin slurries undergoing high shear

A novel approach was developed to study the response of various kaolin slurries to high shear. A method was developed to instantaneously freeze slurries while they undergo high shear and to prepare them for viewing with high resolution electron microscopes. Several kaolin samples were evaluated using this technique, with rheologies ranging from apparent Newtonian to very dilatant. Dramatic results are presented which demonstrate the utility of the new device and reveal particle-particle and particle-fluid interactions not heretofor directly viisualized.