The influence of particle size on wear rate in compressive crushing of rock was investigated experimentally. A test apparatus was developed to replicate the squeezing wear that is present in many rock crushers. Silica sand of different size classes between 0.725 and 2.03 mm was used. The crushing load was varied. The results show a strong relationship between particle size and wear rate. The wear rate increases as particle size increases. Not only mean particle size, but also size distribution width also has an influence on wear rate. From some theoretical considerations, an alternative wear model was derived, that matches experimental data well. In the new model, the wear is proportional to particle size and to the square root of the pressure. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.