On single-particle comminution - numeriacl analysis of compressed spheres

As a basis for a better understanding of the physical processes involved in the comminution process the deformation and fracture behaviour of a single spherical particle compressed between two rigid plates is examined by means of finite element analyses. After verification of the models with analytical solutions and with available experimental results the influence of different material behaviour is investigated and the consequences with respect to fracture processes are discussed. By a systematic variation of the material laws from linear elastic to visco-plastic behaviour it is possible to demonstrate principal differences in the stress distributions leading to the prediction of differences in the failure modes of particles from different materials. The predicted trends are in good agreement with experimental observations. The approach and some of the results might also be applicable for other technical applications.