Laboratory Test Methods for Assessing the Abrasivity of Rocks and Soils in Geotechnology and Mining Applications

Abstract

In geotechnology and mining, tools and equipment interact with aggressive geological material, causing the wear of these components. For this reason, it is important to determine the rate of abrasivity of individual geological materials, depending on the type of interaction with the tool. Various abrasivity tests have been developed in laboratories. Some of them are general, while others are special. What they all have in common is that they attempt to determine the abrasivity of rocks or soils in relation to the wear of the test specimens. This article gives an overview of the laboratory test methods for assessing the abrasivity of geological materials, which are useful in the field of geotechnology and mining engineering. General and special abrasivity tests are presented in detail. The aim of the article is to present existing laboratory tests to assess the abrasivity of rocks and soils, based on which further investigations of wear can be considered as part of a comprehensive approach to this tribological problem. Understanding of the wear mechanisms is the basis for the development of wear-resistant tools and models for predicting the tool life.

Investigation of the Rock-Breaking Mechanism of Drilling under Different Conditions Using Numerical Simulation

“…On the other hand, there are expenses related to work process downtime [45]. Abrasivity is intricately linked to tool wear, rendering it imperative to ascertain the abrasivity rate specific to individual geological materials, contingent upon the nature of their interaction with the tools [46,47]. Numerous abrasivity tests have been meticulously developed within laboratory settings, establishing abrasivity as one of the most widely recognized index methods for evaluating the abrasive nature of rocks [45][46][47].…”

Application of Rock Abrasiveness and Rock Abrasivity Test Methods—A Review

“…The impeller has a rectangular shape of 50 mm × 25 mm × 5 mm and is made of standardised steel with a Rockwell hardness of HRB 60-75. The impeller must be replaced after each test [34,35]. To determine the LAC coefficient, measuring the A steel impeller (sample) is mounted to the end of the axle and immersed in a cylindrical sample container.…”

“…Another of the currently used methods of testing the abrasiveness of rocks is the SAT test, also called the NTNU/SINTEF test, developed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim (NTNU-Porges teknisk-naturvidenskabelige universitet) in cooperation with the SINTEF (Stiftelsen for industriell og teknisk forskning). Initially, the test measured the abrasive wear of a tungsten carbide specimen, while today, the specimen is made of steel [35][36][37].…”

“…The length of the test specimen is 30 mm, the width 20 mm and the radius 15 mm. The soil sample must be dry and gently crushed with a grain size of less than 4 mm [35][36][37]. The abrasivity test represents the time-dependent abrasion of steel test specimens caused by rock powder or soil grains.…”

“…The test lasts 1 min or 20-disc rotations and usually is carried out on 2-4 test specimens. After the test, rock abrasivity is according to Table 2 [35][36][37].…”