Study on nanoscale mechanical properties and fractal characteristics of different mineral regions in shale based on atomic force microscopy experiments
Abstract
This paper studies the micro-heterogeneity and mechanical properties of Lianggaoshan Formation shale in eastern Sichuan, China, so as to explore its influencing factors. The morphology, mechanical parameters, and fractal dimension of different mineral regions were quantitatively analyzed by atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that the surface roughness and root mean square roughness of pyrite, quartz, and clay increase in turn. The surface roughness values are 30.33 nm, 37.15 nm, and 48.15 nm, respectively. The square roughness values are 34.56 nm, 41.38 nm, and 54.88 nm, respectively. The elastic modulus range of pyrite, quartz, and clay decreased from 40.85 GPa to 3.59 GPa, while the range of deformation, cohesion, and dissipation energy increased gradually. The fractal dimension value gradually increased from 2.133 to 2.273, indicating that the mineral composition significantly affected the fractal characteristics. A strong correlation of R² greater than 0.9 was found between fractal dimension and mechanical parameters, with fractal dimension negatively correlated with Young’s modulus and positively correlated with adhesive force, dissipated energy, and deformation. It provides data and theoretical support for geotechnical engineering and shale oil exploration and development technology.
Document Type: Original article
Cited as: Yan, Z., Yin, H., Yu, W., Ning, X., Ruan, W., Liu, K., Tang, X. Study on nanoscale mechanical properties and fractal characteristics of different mineral regions in shale based on atomic force microscopy experiments. Sustainable Earth Resources Communications, 2025, 1(1): 4-17. https://doi.org/10.46690/serc.2025.01.02
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/serc.2025.01.02Keywords:
Rock mechanics; mineralogy; shale; atomic force microscope; fractal dimensionReferences
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Copyright (c) 2025 Zhangping Yan, Hong Yin, Wenlong Yu, Xin Ning, Weipeng Ruan, Kaixing Liu, Xin Tang
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