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Q: Chemical for Rock Breaking ( Answered,   3 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Chemical for Rock Breaking
Category: Science > Earth Sciences
Asked by: mrkraju-ga
List Price: $19.00
Posted: 31 May 2004 09:55 PDT
Expires: 30 Jun 2004 09:55 PDT
Question ID: 354284
I do Landscapes, rockeries and waterfalls, I use hard granite stones
(Boulders) 3 Feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in radius. I use this
boulders for rockeries and waterfall all the work is done only by ma
power.

So I am in very much need of the chemical or acids that break, melts
or softens the hard granite stones.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Chemical for Rock Breaking
Answered By: pinkfreud-ga on 31 May 2004 10:44 PDT
 
The best way to break up rock without using explosive materials is by
drilling small boreholes into the rock and pouring an expansive
chemical agent into the holes. These chemicals are called "soundless
chemical demolition agents" or "non-explosive demolition agents." The
process can be done on a small scale with a boulder, or on a large
scale with a massive rock formation. It is controllable by the user,
who decides where to drill the boreholes in order to achieve the
desired effect.

"Soundless chemical demolition agents (SCDAs) have proven to be viable
substitutes for the use of explosives. SCDAs are powdery materials
that will expand considerably when mixed with water. This expansion,
when occurring under confinement, generates significant expansive
pressures. These pressures are sufficient to break up rock and
concrete when the SCDA is confined in a borehole or a series of
boreholes... The SCDA must be mixed with a measured quantity of water
and poured into the boreholes. It will then begin to hydrate,
generating heat and crystallizing while hardening and expanding. If
hydration takes place under confinement, significant expansive
pressure will result. The pressures can be of sufficient magnitude
that, after a period of time, they will fracture the confining
material. Depending on the type of SCDA, significant expansive
pressure may be generated as quickly as within 15 min., or as long as
within 24 hr."

New Technologies: Soundless Chemical Demolition Agents
http://www.new-technologies.org/ECT/Civil/soundche.htm

Below you'll find links to information on three expansive cracking
agents that should meet your needs:

"BRISTAR is a soundless and safe demolition agent which is quite
different from ordinary demolition agents such as explosives and
dangerous materials. It does not cause any fly rock, noise, ground
vibration, gas, dust or any other environmental pollution when used
properly...

When BRISTAR is mixed with an appropriate quantity of water and poured
into cylindrical holes drilled in rock or concrete, it hardens and
expands. BRISTAR cracks the matter to be demolished which then can be
easily removed with a pick breaker, pneumatic breaker, excavator,
etc...

Since demolition by using BRISTAR is based on a fracture due to a
tensile stress, all kinds of rocks and concrete can be cracked and
broken by using BRISTAR when appropriate holes are properly drilled."

Demolition Technologies: Bristar Non-Explosive Demolition Agent
http://www.demolitiontechnologies.com/

"It starts with the typical demolition process of drilling holes in
rock or concrete, but instead of explosives, FRACT.AGŪ is mixed and
poured into the holes and it expands with a force of over 18,000 psi
overcoming the tensile strength of the rock or concrete.

FRACT.AGŪ expansive mortar: 

- Is versatile, it can be used in hole diameters from 1 1/8 " to 3"
which can be keyed to jobsite conditions, depending on the drilling
equipment available and the method of excavation

- Makes mass rock and concrete removal an easier task 

- Substantially reduces removal time, saving time and money. 

- The Fracturing created by FRACT.AGŪ increases productivity of equipment 

- Works in underwater situations. 

- Can be used in deep holes when appropriate. 

- Is environmentally friendly" 

Daigh Company: Fract.AG Expansive Mortar
http://www.daighcompany.com/default.asp

"Dexpan Non-Explosive Demolition Agent 

 For Controlled Demolition, Building Remodeling, Reinforced 
 Concrete Cutting, Rock Breaking, Granite and Marble Quarrying, 
 Mining, Excavating...
 
>> Amazing Expansive Capability to break Reinforced Concrete, Rock,
Granite, Marble or any material you are working with.

>> Easy to use, just mix with water then fill into holes. 

>> Non-Explosive, much safer than explosives, does the job with NO
noise, NO vibration, NO flying rocks, NO toxic gases.

>> Works Efficient and Cost Effective, no Special License, Training
and Equipment needed.

>> Earth friendly product, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is available."
 
Archer USA: Dexpan
http://www.archerusa.com/Product_Dexpan_En1.html

You can learn more about Dexpan here:

Archer USA: Dexpan Introduction
http://www.archerusa.com/Pictures/Products/Dexpan/DEXPAN%20Introduction%20Web%2020031116.pdf

Google Web Search: "chemical rock splitting"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22chemical+rock+splitting

Google Web Search: "non-explosive demolition"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22non-explosive+demolition

Goolgle Web Search: "soundless chemical demolition"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22soundless+chemical+demolition

I hope this helps. If anything is unclear, please request
clarification; I'll gladly offer further assistance before you rate my
answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

Request for Answer Clarification by mrkraju-ga on 02 Jun 2004 08:12 PDT
I want a solution to break the stone or boulders with out making a
hole, please let me know any chemicals which can break a stone from
the surface directly.

Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 02 Jun 2004 08:50 PDT
I am sorry, but I have found no information about any chemical that
will break rocks just by being poured onto the rocks. All my research
has led to the kind of chemicals mentioned in my answer, which break
rocks from within after being placed in small boreholes. There are
chemicals that can be used to artificially "weather" a stone, but
these merely erode the surface.

You may apply for a refund here:

http://answers.google.com/answers/refundrequest

While applying for a refund, you can opt to repost your question. This
will open it again to other Researchers.

Best regards,
pinkfreud
Comments  
Subject: Re: Chemical for Rock Breaking
From: liner-ga on 02 Jun 2004 11:04 PDT
 
I must agree with Pinkfreud's comments about there being no chemical
listed that will split a rock just by applying to the surface.  As a
person dealing with chemistry for many years, I would go so far as to
say it cannot exist.

Splitting a rock means breaking it along a weak plane (Slate is a
wonderful example, but almost all rocks have one).  Splitting the rock
requires "prying" the two faces apart.  In order to get the prying
forces, you must somehow get a force onto the rock.  And that means
some sort of hole whereby the force can be applied to spread the two
faces.

Further, the holes serve as a clear starting point, something hard to
do otherwise on a rock.  Applying a small band of chemicals along a
line cannot do the job.  (Well, if you use a little primacord, that
might do the job!!  But if you aren't qualified to use explosives,
that choice is not available.)
Subject: Re: Chemical for Rock Breaking
From: safex-ga on 03 Aug 2004 00:23 PDT
 
I have been working with non-explosive demolition technologies more than 10 years.
For the time being the best alternative is a pyrotechnical rock
breaking technolgoy, namely SAFEX.
Safex is so safe that, it only works when placed in the holes drilled
precisely, and stemmed to get max. pressure.
During transport, storage, free standing, etc. it is not affected from
impact, pressure, fire and electricity.
It can be transported even by passenger planes.

It has several sizes to suit different applications and can be found
as a cartridge ready to use. It is classified under UN0432  1.4S code.
The activation is simple and in a fraction of second. Pressure level
attained reaches to levels 4-8 tons per sq.m.

I hope this information will help you in your research.
Subject: Re: Chemical for Rock Breaking
From: guzzi-ga on 30 Aug 2004 18:21 PDT
 
I recently broke off large chunks of granite in a house wall using
only a propane gas torch. Took a bit of time and I got hit by hot
shards when pieces exploded off. However, Hannibal (crossing the Alps)
is reputed to have shattered boulders in his elephants? path by
heating them with huge bonfires then quenching them (the boulders of
course, not the elephants). Gold mining in Wales in Roman times also
used the technique.

So stack lots of wood round your boulders, burn fiercely for a few
hours, then quench by tipping a dump truck filled with water.
Hopefully the container will also protect the operator from
explosions, but delegate the job to your most expendable employee!

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