Process for splitting slate schist - uses high speed water jet directed into groove in schist to propagate fissure on cleavage plane

摘要

Of partic. application to the splitting of slat schists or similar with definite planes, the process utilises a high speed fluid jet to propagate a fissure on a definite cleavage plane. Initially a groove is cut on a cleavage plane and then the jet is applied to the groove. The jet is orientated in the required cleavage plane and perpendicular to the groove, the pressure derived from the kinetic energy of the spray then following the front of fissure proparation. The fluid may be water, may be applied in a small dia. circular section jet, or may be applied in a thin jet of dovetail section.