A new device and calibration method for the fracture energy testing of single-particle impact

This study presents a piezoelectric fast load cell (PFLC) as a novel device for testing single particle fracture energy under impact and proposes a collision model for measurement and calibration. The research examined various models, modifying the long-rod model to create a more practical short-rod model describing the contact dynamics during collision processes. Through back-calculating the Young's modulus of glass beads, the optimized measurement settings are calibrated for practical use based on the short-rod model, which is corroborated by comparison with fracture probabilities obtained from the drop weight tests and PFLC. It was verified that the observed fracture characteristics of ore align with established principles of fracture mechanics, validating the testing approach. The PFLC offers a cost-effective and compact substitute to classic ultra-fast load cell (UFLC), potentially enhancing the adoption of advanced comminution models like the Tavares Model.