On the mechanism of formation of layered sediments during sedimentation of concentrated dispersions

A possible mechanism of the formation of sediments during the sedimentation of concentrated disperse systems was suggested, with the sediments consisting of macrolayers of different densities. The layered structure is a result of the periodic disintegration of a loose coagulation structure forming over lyophobic parts of the surface of particles as the sediment layer is accumulated and the ultimate strength of the structure of the underlying layer is attained. Observation of the change in the density of the sediment with time by the gamma-probe method confirms the suggested mechanism.