Effect of strong dielectric substances on the damage characteristics of rocks exposed to microwave radiation: Insight from experiments and mechanisms

It has been demonstrated that microwave pretreatment can weaken rocks, reduce tool wear, and improve mechanical rock breaking efficiency. The dielectric properties of rock minerals are a major factor affecting the ability of rocks to absorb microwaves, so it is important to conduct experimental research on rock modification to improve the microwave absorption capacity of rocks. The concept of “microwave-assisted absorbing reagents” has been proposed to increase the microwave absorption capacity of rocks. Sandstone specimens are first pretreated with strong dielectric substances before being exposed to microwave radiation to increase their microwave absorption capacity, then they are exposed to microwave fields and finally conducted to uniaxial compression tests. Enhancement in microwave absorption capacity of sandstone specimens is showed by P-wave velocity, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mechanical tests before and after microwave treatment. The results showed that barium titanate suspension and water are both effective microwave-assisted absorbing agents. The specimens treated with barium titanate suspension exhibited better microwave absorption capacity; in 5 kW microwave power irradiation, its p-wave velocity falls by 14.04%, porosity rises by 25.43%, and uniaxial compressive strength falls by 24.98%. Additionally, the failure form of sandstone specimens changes from brittle to plastic once it has fully absorbed microwave energy.