On the measurements of individual particle properties via compression and crushing

An experimental study is presented to measure the elastic, yielding, and crushing properties of individual particles under compression using substrates made aluminum alloy, stainless steel, sapphire. Carefully selected, highly spherical Ottawa sand 0.75–1.1 mm in nominal diameter were compressed between two smooth substrates, load–deformation curves analyzed by Hertz elastic contact theory derive their reduced modulus Young's as well yielding strengths, which vary significantly with type substrate materials. Further analysis plastic deformation at particle-substrate shows that yield strength or hardness materials dominates local behavior hence affects measured apparent strengths. The softer (aluminum alloy steel) actually lead underestimated shear strengths quartz 60.4% 54.2%, respectively, are while true particle occurs sapphire-particle contact. Moreover, cause much overestimated 50.4% 36.4%, respectively. Selection inappropriate interpretation can significant errors It recommended single testing uses greater than tested result also considers behaviors substrates.