Physical and Structural Transformations of Perlis Carbonate Rocks via Mechanical Activation Route

Abstract

Carbonate rocks were mechanically activated in a high energy planetary ball mill using dry grinding method. The fine grinding test works were carried out with the same ball to powder ratio (9:1) at three levels of revolution speed (250 rpm, 350 rpm and 450 rpm) and grinding time (30 min, 60 min, 90 min) respectively. The chemical composition and elemental constituents of the raw dolomite and limestone samples were determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The structural properties such as degree of crystallinity (DOC), crystallite sizes and lattice strains of non-activated and mechanically activated carbonate rocks were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) while the morphological analysis conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results obtained showed that high revolution speed and longer grinding duration have pronounced effect on the grindability, increase in fineness, decrease in crystallite sizes and amorphization of Perlis dolomite compared to the limestone source. This might be due to the difference in material hardness and existence of appreciable amount of quartz content in limestones.