Energy characteristics of finely dispersed rock systems

Abstract

In their genesis, rocks accumulate their energy potential – free energy of rock-forming minerals and the rock in general that is an important criterion of raw material genetic classification for construction materials production. The free energy value for the macrostate of a substance (rock) is atomization energy. The critical surface tension value can be used as an energy characteristic for destroyed rock in a finely dispersed state. If condensed phase surfaces carry no significant electrostatic charge, then main surface forces that determine the interaction between solids are dispersion ones evaluated by the Hamaker constant value. These energy parameters can enable forecasting various physical and mechanical properties of minerals and rocks and thereby increase the efficiency of construction materials production where synthesis is based on the complete rock destruction. Since compared chemical compositions of minerals forming rocks revealed a predominant silicon dioxide content in them, the aim of this paper was to establish a possible relationship between the silicon dioxide content and energy characteristics for finely dispersed rock systems of various genetic types. The selected objects of research were different genesis rocks typically used in the construction materials industry and quartz as a main rock-forming mineral. Test samples of rocks in a finely dispersed state were obtained by dry milling. It is established that an increase in silicon dioxide content in the limestone – quartz series leads to higher atomization energy, specific mass atomization energy and free surface energy with intensified dispersion interaction between particles evaluated by an increase in the Hamaker constant.