Size reduction of fibrous materials (wood, asbestos, mica): which disintegrator type is exemplified by the cage mill?

Introduction / Context:
Different solids fracture differently. Fibrous materials such as wood, asbestos, and mica resist simple compressive breakage and respond better to shear and impact that tear fibers apart. Disintegrators are designed to produce such actions and provide high-speed shattering and shearing rather than pure compressive crushing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Material class: fibrous, tough, sheet-like (mica).
• Goal: disintegration rather than coarse lumpy crushing.
• Examples of equipment provided in options.

Concept / Approach:
A cage mill (disintegrator) uses concentric cages rotating in opposite directions to impart repeated impact and shear. The high peripheral speeds and multiple passes create rapid size reduction suitable for fibrous and friable feeds. In contrast, a Blake jaw crusher and Bradford breaker rely on compressive breakage and are best for hard, brittle, or friable lumps (e.g., coal). A stamp mill is a heavy impact device suited to brittle ore; it is not optimized for fibrous tearing.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify mechanism needed: shear/impact for fibers.Match equipment: disintegrator with high-speed impacts → cage mill.Select "cage mill" from the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Process handbooks list the cage mill among typical "disintegrators" for fibrous or flaky materials where tearing and shattering are preferable to simple compression.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Blake jaw crusher: compressive, for coarse primary reduction of hard rocks.Stamp mill: heavy drop-weight impacts, not efficient for fibrous materials.Bradford breaker: rotary breaker for coal sizing and de-shaling, not a fiber disintegrator.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming any "crusher" suits fibers; mechanism matters—fibers require tearing and repeated impacts.

Final Answer:
cage mill