This study investigates the failure mechanism and infrared radiation characteristics of hard siltstone induced by stratification effects. The research focuses on the influence of stratification structure on the infrared radiation and temporal damage mechanisms of hard siltstone. Uniaxial compression tests, combined with acoustic emission (AE) and infrared radiation temperature (IRT), were conducted on siltstones with different stratification effects. The results show that the stratification structure significantly affects the stress-strain response and strength degradation characteristics. The mechanical parameters exhibit anisotropy, and the stratification effect shows a negative correlation with the cracking stress and peak stress. The failure modes caused by the stratification effect show anisotropic features, including splitting failure, composite failure, and shearing failure. The AE temporal sequences demonstrate a stepwise response to loading stress. The AE intensity indicates that the stress sensitivity of shearing failure and composite failure is generally greater than that of splitting failure. The IRT field exhibits spatiotemporal migration and progressive dissimilation with stress loading, with the dissimilation degree increasing under higher stress levels. The stronger the stratification effect, the greater the dissimilation degree of the IRT field. The abnormal characteristic points of average infrared radiation temperature (AIRT) variance at local stress drop and peak stress can be used as early and late precursors to identify fracture instability. Theoretical analysis shows that the competitive relationship between compaction strengthening and fracturing damage intensifies the dissimilation of the infrared thermal field for an increasing stress level. The study provides a theoretical reference for disaster warnings in hard sedimentary rock mass. Keywords: Hard siltstone; Failure mechanism; Stratification effect; Infrared radiation characteristic; Temporal-damage mechanism; Dissimilation behavior.This study investigates the failure mechanism and infrared radiation characteristics of hard siltstone induced by stratification effects. The research focuses on the influence of stratification structure on the infrared radiation and temporal damage mechanisms of hard siltstone. Uniaxial compression tests, combined with acoustic emission (AE) and infrared radiation temperature (IRT), were conducted on siltstones with different stratification effects. The results show that the stratification structure significantly affects the stress-strain response and strength degradation characteristics. The mechanical parameters exhibit anisotropy, and the stratification effect shows a negative correlation with the cracking stress and peak stress. The failure modes caused by the stratification effect show anisotropic features, including splitting failure, composite failure, and shearing failure. The AE temporal sequences demonstrate a stepwise response to loading stress. The AE intensity indicates that the stress sensitivity of shearing failure and composite failure is generally greater than that of splitting failure. The IRT field exhibits spatiotemporal migration and progressive dissimilation with stress loading, with the dissimilation degree increasing under higher stress levels. The stronger the stratification effect, the greater the dissimilation degree of the IRT field. The abnormal characteristic points of average infrared radiation temperature (AIRT) variance at local stress drop and peak stress can be used as early and late precursors to identify fracture instability. Theoretical analysis shows that the competitive relationship between compaction strengthening and fracturing damage intensifies the dissimilation of the infrared thermal field for an increasing stress level. The study provides a theoretical reference for disaster warnings in hard sedimentary rock mass. Keywords: Hard siltstone; Failure mechanism; Stratification effect; Infrared radiation characteristic; Temporal-damage mechanism; Dissimilation behavior.