Estudo do corte de rochas ornamentais utilizando disco diamantado

Abstract

The demand for ornamental rocks has grown in last years, both to domestic consumption as for export. To supply this demand, the production increased, there was also a technological development, however, is necessary in this sector, studies and investiments and improvements in the techniques used. Therefore, in general, the mining and mineral processing are still practiced without systematic planning and control, resulting in poor utilization of equipments, wastes, high production costs, security problems in the operation and severe environmental impacts. The advent of diamond tools, used in mining and mineral processing of ornamental rocks, has contributed, largely, to the grouth of the sector, however, there is necessity of studies to used these tools to maximize the recovery of the rocks, increase the profit and decrease the negative aspects previously discussed. The cutting of rocks with diamond disk, considering an integrated view between the properties of rocks, the variables involved in cutting and machine performance, can contribute to improvement of processing techniques. This work has as main objective to optimize the techniques used in cutting of ornamental rocks using diamond disk, using some values for variables involved in cutting, to improve the product, lower power consumption and extend the life of the disk. Thre types of rock: granite, quartzite and slate, were cut, at different peripheral speeds ((26,18; 35,34 e 44,77m/s), with different feed rates and depths of cut (0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0cm). With these variables and with others that were measured, it was possible to calculate the specific energy consumption in each test. These variables were related to each other, with the specific energy and with the rock properties (petrographic, physical and mechanical). This correlation allowed to analize what are the important properties for the cutting and compare the cutting conditions for the three rock types.