An impact crusher is a type of stone crushing machine that is used to crush various materials, such as limestone, glass, bauxite, concrete aggregate, and other hard and abrasive materials. It utilizes a rapid impact force to break the material and is usually employed in the secondary or tertiary crushing stages in mining, construction, and recycling applications. In this article, we’ll delve into the workings of an impact crusher, its components, applications, advantages, and limitations.
Working Principle Of Impact Crusher:
An impact crusher operates on the principle of rapid impact or collision between the material being crushed and the impact bars or hammers fixed upon the rotor. The material is fed into the crusher from the top, and when it reaches the rotor, the rapid rotation causes the hammers or impact bars to strike the material, breaking it into smaller pieces. The crushed material is then discharged through openings at the bottom of the crusher.
Components Of Impact Crusher:
- Rotor: The rotor is the main rotating component of the impact crusher. It is typically equipped with blow bars or hammers that deliver the crushing force.
- Blow Bars/Hammers: These are the primary crushing components that impact the material. They are usually made of high-strength alloys to withstand the impact forces.
- Impact Plates: Impact plates are located on the crushing chamber walls and help redirect the material back into the crushing zone for further reduction.
- Feed Chute: The feed chute directs the material into the crushing chamber.
- Crushing Chamber: The crushing chamber is the area where the material undergoes the crushing process.
- Discharge Opening: The discharge opening is where the crushed material exits the crusher.
Applications Of Impact Crusher:
- Mining: Impact crushers are widely used in the mining industry for crushing ores and minerals such as coal, limestone, and iron ore.
- Construction: They are utilized in construction projects for crushing aggregates, concrete, and asphalt.
- Recycling: Impact crushers are effective for recycling applications, such as crushing recycled concrete, asphalt, and demolition waste.
- Quarrying: They are commonly used in quarrying operations to crush various types of rock and stone.
Advantages Of Impact Crusher:
- Versatility: Impact crushers can handle a wide range of materials, including hard and abrasive substances.
- High Production Efficiency: They offer high throughput rates and efficient crushing capabilities.
- Cubical Shaped Product: Impact crushers produce a more cubical shaped product compared to jaw crushers, which is desirable for certain applications.
- Low Maintenance: Impact crushers generally require less maintenance compared to other types of crushers.
- Adjustable Output Size: Many impact crushers feature adjustable output size settings to meet specific product requirements.
Limitations Of Impact Crusher:
- High Wear and Tear: The high-speed impact forces in an impact crusher can result in significant wear and tear on the components, particularly the blow bars or hammers.
- Dust Generation: Impact crushers can generate a significant amount of dust, which may require additional dust control measures.
- Limited Reduction Ratio: Impact crushers may not achieve as high of a reduction ratio as other types of crushers, such as cone crushers.
Impact crushers are versatile machines commonly used in mining, construction, recycling, and quarrying applications. They offer high production efficiency, versatility, and the ability to produce cubical shaped products. While they have certain limitations, such as high wear and tear and limited reduction ratios, impact crushers remain a popular choice for various crushing operations due to their effectiveness in breaking down hard and abrasive materials.
