Comparison of several liberation models considering preferential breakage at phase boundaries

Liberation degree is one of the most important indices for clarifying the limit of subsequent component separation not only in mineral processing but also in solid waste processing. Authors created several models considering preferential breakage at phase boundary and defined various kinds of indices of "Preferential Breakage Probability". Experimental validation was also carried out for synthetic composite materials as test samples which have different property of phase boundaries. The results were discussed in terms of the applicability of the models depending on the boundary property. "Preferential Breakage Probabilities" defined in the models were considered useful to quantify the facility of liberation for various materials and to determine comminution methods / conditions for achieving good liberation.