The pore structure of chrysotile asbestos

Abstract

The pore volume structures of intact bundles of chrysotile asbestos fibers were studied with water vapor adsorption-desorption isotherms. In the three samples examined, the total pore volume ranged from a little less than 4% to a little more than 5% based on the total sample volume. In all the samples more than 80% of the void volume existed in pores less than 60 Å. in diameter. It was concluded from the pore volume distribution that fundamental chrysotile fibrils exist in a cylindrical or near-cylindrical form with an average outer diameter of 200 to 250 Å. and an average effective inner diameter of 20 to 50 Å. The packing space between the fibrils probably is irregular, but it has an effective pore size of the same order of magnitude as the internal pores within the fibrils.