Fracture and fragmentation of quartz and albite during single-diamond sliding-point contact

Material-removal phenomena in quartz and albite under single-diamond contact conditions are examined. Results indicate that the fracture behaviour of albite is associated with thermal- and fracture-dominated micro-scale processes, leading to larger forces in the primary scratch direction, more energetic acoustic emission events, enhanced comminution, and smaller fragment sizes. Quartz was observed to have pressure and strength dominant micro-scale processes, with more blocky fracture surfaces, larger fragments, larger tensile z-forces, and more high-pressure-related phenomena. The results can be related to material properties (i.e., fracture toughness, hardness, and melting temperature).

► Micro-scale fracture of quartz and albite are compared in this study. ► Micro-fracture in albite is associated with thermal and fracture dominated processes. ► This results in smaller fragment sizes and more energetic acoustic emission events. ► Micro-fracture of quartz is associated with pressure and strength dominant processes. ► Results can be related to fracture toughness, hardness, and melting temperatures.