Relationships between the Petrographic and Abrasive Properties of Sandstones in the Aspect of Their Cutting

Abstract

The research described in this article was carried out on samples of sandstone obtained from the underground excavations of four hard coal mines that operate in the region of Poland with the highest energy resources, i.e., Upper Silesia. The majority of underground tunnel excavations are mainly drilled using roadheaders, the organs of which are equipped with conical picks. The selection of pick type is usually based on rock compressive strength. However, sandstones often cause more problems during cutting compared to other waste rocks because of their variety. This article’s primary purpose is to emphasize the importance of researching various properties of waste rock in addition to uniaxial compression strength, which is crucial in the selection of both the appropriate cutting method and appropriate cutting tools. Accordingly, relations between mineralogical, petrographic, physical and mechanical properties were examined in this study, with special attention paid to the abrasive properties that comprise rock abrasivity. Sandstones from the regions of Upper Silesia are characterized by a heterogeneity of mineralogical and petrographic features that strongly affect the physical and mechanical properties of these rocks, especially their abrasive properties. The determined correlations can aid understanding of the behavior of rocks during their mechanical cutting and facilitate the selection of appropriate cutting tools.