Transformations of kimberlite minerals and natural diamonds structure as the result of pulsed electromagnetic irradiation
At a Glance
Section titled āAt a Glanceā| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2019-01-01 |
| Journal | AIP conference proceedings |
| Authors | Š. Š. ŠŠ½Š°ŃŠŗŠøŠ½Š°, Š. Š. ŠŃŠ½ŠøŠ½ |
| Institutions | Research Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources |
Abstract
Section titled āAbstractāTo improve the existing diamond recovery process, the effect of high-voltage nanosecond pulses on mechanical and structural properties of diamond crystals and kimberlite rock-forming minerals was studied with application of Infrared Fourier spectroscopy, microscopy, miŃrohardness measurement, and other methods. Non-thermal impacts caused a decrease of kimberlite rock-forming minerals microhardness in general to 40-66% as the result of surface microstructure destruction which is caused by formation of microcracks, traces of surface breakdown and other defects. At the same time, the pulse energy impact on diamonds led to formation of B2-type crystal lattice microsift defects, whose elevated content, apparently, contributes to the higher strength of diamond crystals. The obtained result indicates possibility of applying pulsed energy effects to improve the softening efficiency of diamond-bearing kimberlites rock-forming minerals without damaging the diamond crystals and ensuring their preservation by the subsequent grinding of ores.