USE OF VOLATILE SILICONES TO INCREASE WATER-STABILITY OF SOIL

Abstract

Air-dry soil was exposed to the fumes of a mixture of 2 methylchlorislanes under reduced pressure. Treatment of different soils, with widely varying degrees of water-stable aggregation, at a rate of 0.2% and 0.5% by wt. of the soil increased the water-stability. Measured as the value of the mean wt.-diam., the aggregation of the soils treated was increased between 50 and 600%, depending on rate of treatment and original condition of the soil. The plastic index of several soils was found to be decreased as a result of the treatment. Practical implications of the exptl. results for reducing surface sealing, decreasing erodibility, and increasing stability of earth structures are indicated. The effect of the treatment is ascribed to a decrease of the wettability of the soil aggregates, which in turn is caused by the formation of a water repellent discontinuous film. This film is the result of the reaction of CH3Cl3Si and (CH3)2Cl2Si with the water absorbed on the soil aggregates.