Mechanical Activation of Solids in Extractive Metallurgy

Abstract

Mechanochemistry is the branch of chemistry that has primarily evolved in the twentieth century.It deals with the field of reactions caused by mechanical energy, often referred to as Mechanical or Mechanochemical Activation [1-3]. The process of activation depends on the breakage process and the rate at which energy is supplied to the system [1-3]. In contrast to coarse grinding, where the objective is size reduction, mechanical activation is concerned with structural changes that are brought about by application of mechanical energy. Fine grinding is an intermediate case between coarse grinding and mechanical activation [1-3]. Mechanical activation has been attem-pted in a variety of disciplines, such as extractive meta-llurgy, waste utilisation, mechanical alloying, advanced ceramics, catalysis, coal gasification, paints and dyes, fertilizers, drugs and pharmaceuticals, organometallic synthesis, and many others.