Tensile strength of agglomerates

Abstract Firstly, this paper gives a review of tensile strength of agglomerates; i.e. a discussion of the most important theoretical considerations, the various methods of measurement, a comparison of measuring techniques by experimental results and a brief look at deformation behaviour under unidirectional loading. In the second part new developments are dealt with. For the tensile strength of agglomerates in which forces are transmitted at points of contact, a new relationship is shown in which the displacements due to individual forces are taken into consideration. Experiments in which not only the tensile strength but also the force distribution are measured demonstrate the necessity of the new approach when short-range forces are present. However, the force—displacement characteristics of the attractive forces need not to be taken into account when long-range forces — e.g forces due to suitability large liquid bridges — act. The attractive forces may then be linearly superposed. The measurement of the tensile strength of agglomerates is discussed in detail. In particular the problematic nature of measurements using the split plate apparatus is pointed out, and a new method of interpreting results is suggested. The applicability of this method is tested by comparable experiments.