The Drop Weight Test Revisited: Characterization of the Crushability of Hot Sinter and Validation of the Approach with Natural Rocks

The crushing behaviour of sinter from blast furnace operations is known to depend on its temperature. In order to characterize it, hot sinter was subject to single particle tests in a very basic drop weight tester. Additionally, a laboratory jaw crusher was sacrificed to work the same feed material. As the results regarding net energy input were not consistent, two common rocks were tested in comparison with both the drop weight and the jaw crusher. Although some discrepancies remained, the results with the rocks can basically be considered as consistent. This investigation illustrates some of the difficulties that can arise when established test methods are applied on material with deviant properties.