We introduce a simple model for the consumption and fragmentation of a reactive porous medium, and investigate various distinct regimes of such processes. The model simulates the reaction-consumption process in a realistic way, and is capable of simulating the entire range of possible kinetic limitations. We show that a dynamic scaling governs the time evolution of the fragments distribution and calculate the critical exponents. They vary continuously with the reactivity of the porous medium. This dynamic scaling may also hold for the fragmentation of a system as a result of mechanical breakage, such as grinding of minerals, or stress-induced fragmentation of disordered solids, or of rocks and polymers.

• Received 17 April 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.59.888