Did you try clamping a boom on either/both pieces A lot of leaverage Has worked for me in the past

If 2 booms don't work try 4. Blow torch sounds like a very bad idea, epoxy breaks down in extreme heat!! WD40 is more for rust and metal, might help lubricate but I like the idea of actually forcing water thru the joint, that sounds like a good idea, use it in conjuction with 4 booms.

I read an article somewhere that recommended propping one end of the mast against something about waist height. Then press down on the joint and you will hear the sand crush (if you use enough pressure). Rotate and repeat until all of the trapped sand is crushed, and the mast should come apart. This is the same as cmc71069 suggested, you just wont look so spassy at the rigging area.
If you try to twist the two parts apart you risk scoring the mast at the joint (especially if the sand is coarse), but by crushing it you only have to deal with finer sand particles.

In theory anyway - havent had to put this into practice myself yet.

JayBee

Years ago we got one apart which had been locked up for ages.
We attached one end to a tree with a few half hitch knots on a nylon tow rope. If you use a series of half hitches they self tighten on the mast and get a good grip.
On the other end we did the same and attached it to a 4wd Subaru. With the Suba in low range we drove off and put a lot of tension on the rope so that it stretched considerably and then put the handbrake on. We then shook the crap out of the locked up section and after about 2 or 3 minutes it came loose.
Make sure you use a soft rope as anything hard can crush the mast.
Also, be careful not to put so much tension on the rope that you break it because it can whip around and smack you in the bum/face/eyes/anywhere else that might hurt.

A bucket of water works with Kelpie's. Also a great idea with masts. Clean joint after each use and it will at least start clean at next sailing day.

I have found the following to work separating masts.
1. Hish pressure hose into the top section to force water into the joint.
2. Place mast at waist height and Flex mast backwards & forwards by applying pressure at the joint. You may hear the sand crush.
3. Buy the non slip grip that is used in kitchens to protect shelves and stop kettles slipping etc. Wrap this around the mast at two ends and then tie on a piece of timber (about 1-2 metres)to either end of the mast. The non slip stuff i got from a $2 shop and it stops ropes, boom head sliping as you rotate. Now rotate!

good luck

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but the half hitches used on the top half wouldnt grip(as the knot was being pulled towards the smaller radius end)

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Remember to wrap the rope around the mast a couple of times (I'd use about ten) before doing your half hitch. Each wrap of the rope multiplies the gripping force that it puts on the mast, much like a set of pulleys. Make it tight when you do the half hitch as well. Good luck with it, let us know if you still have trouble...

The best and simplest method I have ever used is:
1 - get a long flat tie down strap and possibly a bit of rubber.
2 - put the flat piece of rubber around the mast for grip and then firmly wrap the tie down around the mast, over lap the webbing and cover as large an area as the tie down allows.
3 - tie the other tail of the tie down to something solid. Bumper bar, fence post etc.
4 - get everyone at the beach to grap the other side of the join and twist.

You can get about 10 people all twisting at once. By using this method you effectively double the man power you are using. Or else just get 20 people to all help you. I have never seen this method not work and the risk of damage to the mast is almost none. All you need is plenty of friends. Also, try to get people at the beach to help you before they go sailing and get tired wet hands. If this doesn't work I would suggest getting used to putting the mast onto your roof.

if it happens again try tapping around the join with a bit of wood - this seems to break up the sand particles allowing the mast to separate a bit easier as you pull them apart by whatever method.

I have experienced this and can recommend 100% the best solution is to get two saw horses, one at each end of the mast and push down at the join and release, and so on. It may take half an hour, but it works everytime.