Abstract
Comminution is the oldest mechanical unit operation for size reduction of solid materials and an important step in many processes by which raw materials are converted into intermediate or final products. The purposes for which solid materials comminuted are to reduce the size, to increase the surface area and to free the useful materials from its matrices. Recentry, to modify the surface of solids, to prepare the composite materials, to examine the mechanical alloying and to control the particle shape are involved in its purpose. A demand for fine or ultrafine particles is also incresing in many kinds of industries. The energy efficiency of comminution is very low. Then, research and development to find energy-saving comminution processes have been performed.
In this paper, the history of research and technique in comminution were reviewed with following items.
1. The measurement and expression of size distribution.
2. The comminution energy.
3. The single particle crushing.
4. The crushing resistance and grindability.
5. The comminution kinetics.
6. The fine grinding.
7. The crushing and grinding equipments.
8. The recent trend according to the questionnaires.
