Elastic Properties of Clay Minerals Determined by Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy Technique

Abstract

Seismic wave propagation in geol. formations is altered by the presence of clay minerals. Knowledge about the elastic properties of clay is therefore essential for the interpretation and modeling of the seismic response of clay-bearing formations. However, due to the layered structure of clay, it is very difficult to investigate its elastic properties. We measured elastic properties of clay using at. force acoustic microscopy (AFAM). The forces applied during the expts. were not higher than 50 nN. The adhesion forces were measured from the pull-off forces and included into our calcns. by means of the Derjaguin-Mueller-Toporov model for contact mechanics. The obtained values of the elastic modulus for clay varied from 10 to 17 GPa depending on various parameters that describe the dynamics of a vibrating beam. [on SciFinder(R)]