Powdered Particle Interactions: Suspension Flocculation and Caking II

The flocculation of a bismuth subnitrate suspension has been explained as principally due to forces other than van der Waals acting between the suspended particles. Two basic types of bonds are described. The conclusions are supported by microscopic data and by data on relative suspension heights obtained from a series of controlled flocculation experiments. These findings disagree with a proposed concept, which views the flocculation of a bismuth subnitrate suspension as the end result of the action of van der Waals forces, following the neutralization of the zeta potential of the suspended particles.