A study on the correlation between fractal dimension and particle breakage for tungsten ores under impact crushing

Understanding the mechanical properties of ores is critical for optimizing the crushing and grinding processes. To investigate the breakage characteristics of tungsten ores with different particle sizes in different crushing sections during the comminution process, the breakage index (t₁₀) and fractal dimension (D) of different particle sizes in different crushing sections were calculated using particle size distribution (PSD), and the correlation between JK size-dependent breakage model and fractal theory to characterize the mechanical properties of ores were discussed. The study results reveal that the JK size-dependent breakage model and fractal theory accurately characterize the mechanical properties of ores. With the same size, the mechanical properties of the particles increases as the comminution operation proceeds. But the HPGR, a unique roller pressing method, serves to keep the mechanical properties of particles lower than the cone crushers. The D of tungsten ore particles of different sizes under impact increased with E_cs and eventually reached a limiting value D_m. D to E_cs correlation was studied. Based on this, a mathematical model between t₁₀ and D was established and successfully fitted to the variation of ore mechanical properties under various impact crushing conditions. Compared with the traditional JK breakage model, the new model can better describe the mechanical properties from the perspective of ore properties.