On the bulk compaction of brittle granular materials, Part II: Representing interparticle comminution by KCOMP

Abstract

An applied and empirical compaction fracture resistance parameter, KCOMP, was developed to represent the compression-induced interparticle-comminution response of granular brittle materials (e.g., ceramic or glass particles). The development of KCOMP is an outcome from Part I of this three-paper series. The KCOMP represents a continuum response of compaction fracture resistance and was adapted from established Griffith linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. From that, the KCOMP relates macroscopically applied compressive stress to a corresponding inverse-square-root representative particle size, where the latter is estimated from an entire particle size distribution or specific surface area measurement. The KCOMP value was not constant over a wide range of stresses for all examined brittle granular materials, and this is indicative of a change in the dominant mode of permanent deformation at higher compaction stresses.