An investigation of the petrographic and physico-mechanical properties of true granites influencing diamond tool wear performance, and development of a new wear index

An experimental study was carried out with the intent of establishing the most significant rock properties influencing sawblade wear performance in the processing of ‘true’ granites. To achieve this goal, microstructural characterization of nine different rock samples was made on thin sections using polarized petrographic microscope for the determination of mineral modal composition, grain size distribution and other textural features. The samples were also tested for their physico-mechanical properties. Sawing experiments of the studied rocks were performed on a full-scale side-cutting machine, and specific wear rate SWR was adopted as the criteria for sawblade wear performance.