Experimental investigation into effects of natural stone properties on performance of a chisel tool

The main purpose of this study is to determine how the linear cutting experiments should be performed on natural stones to better understand the stone cutting and predict cutting performance parameters from easily obtainable rock properties. A compiled database including thirty-four different natural stone samples in metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous geological origins is used to investigate the relationships between specific energy, mean normal and cutting forces and eleven different macro and micro properties of natural stones collected from quarries around Turkey. Linear cutting tests are performed by a portable linear cutting machine with a simple chisel tool at four different depths of cut in unrelieved (non-interactive) cutting mode. The difference in this study from previous investigations is the wide variety of stone samples with different characteristics to better explain the cutting mechanisms of natural stones. The results indicate that Shore scleroscope hardness and texture coefficient can be used to predict cutting performance parameters of natural stones. Additionally, using shallower depths of cut in linear cutting tests could lead to a better explanation of specific energy of natural stones.