THE INFLUENCE OF ROCK STRENGTH AND ABRASIVE MINERAL-CONTENT ON THE CERCHAR ABRASIVE INDEX

The Cerchar abrasive index is based on a simple test and is widely use d to assess the abrasiveness of rocks. Detailed examination of the tes t has shown that the index is largely influenced by the rock strength, and only partially by the rock abrasiveness. The standard test was fo und to be incapable of providing accurate indices for rocks of low rel ative abrasiveness and a modification to the test is presented to over come this problem. The interpretation of the test results has been ext ended to enable calculation of the specific wear rate which is a more precise measure of the abrasiveness of materials.