Premium
A Postulated Mechanism for Increasing the Efficiency of Organic Soil Conditioners
Author(s) -
Koch J. T.,
Kay B. D.,
Lange G. L.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1974.03615995003800040020x
Subject(s) - mechanism (biology) , aggregate (composite) , chemical engineering , chemistry , polymer , soil structure , materials science , soil water , organic chemistry , soil science , environmental science , nanotechnology , philosophy , epistemology , engineering
A mechanism whereby organic polymers may be made more effective in maintaining the water stability of soil aggregates is postulated. The proposed mechanism employs coupling agents which chemically bond parts of the organic and inorganic phases of the aggregate together. Various silane coupling agents and other compounds of similar structure were added to soil aggregates. Predictions based on the proposed mechanism were tested by recording the effects of the compounds on aggregate stability as measured by the wet‐sieving technique. Addition of silicon—functional compounds resulted in a marked increase in the water stability of soil aggregates. However, it was not possible to prove conclusively that the organic functionality of NH 2 (CH 2 ) 3 Si(OC 2 H 5 ) 3 participated in the postulated mechanism of strength improvement.