Determination of optimal processing conditions of eocene old marbles in the east of Akcadag (Malatya)

In this study, it is aimed to determine the mineralogical-petrographical, physical, chemical and mechanical properties, which are significant in terms of mining, of marbles which are processed in Malatya (Akcadag) area and the most economic and the most appropriate processing (cutting, grinding, polishing) conditions for this marble unit in terms quality.In field works, block feeding property of limestone was determined with sample compilation, geological section measurement, layer thickness, crack and break measurement. Serial and point samples were collected from the studied marbles. Physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the collected samples and marbles were determined and these properties were interpreted in accordance with the standards of TSE and ISRM which are used widely in marble. Bulk unit weight, specific weight, water absorption property, shatter strength in water, porosity, rigidity and duty cycle properties of the studied marbles are inside the appropriate limits of TSE and uniaxial compressive strength are inside the appropriate limits of ISRM. In the applied XRD and XRF analysis, it was determined that marbles are calcited composition.In consequence of the committed experimental studies, for the determination of the appropriate processing condition of marbles, it was determined that in cutting phase for low electricity usage the most effective parameter was cutting speed. Increase in cutting speed application provided low energy consumption and created fluctuations in roughness. The performance of the models produced from statistical analysis was evaluated and determination of coefficient (R2) was found higher than 90%.In the committed abrasively polishing experiments, it was seen that the most effective factor was the grain size of the serial in order to decrease the roughness in maximum level. It was determined that the usage of the serial of which grain size is two fold of each other and in which there are very small grain abrasives at the end of the serial was appropriate. Experiments performed in the same conditions revealed that the highest roughness was measured for Best Krem, and the lowest measured for Rozalya marble. When the developed models evaluated, successful results (R2>0.95) were obtained.