Grinding is the fundamental process of powder deep processing, which is not only a refining process, but also a mixing and homogenizing process. 

According to different classification standards, grinding media can be divided into many types, such as spherical, rod-shaped, roller shaped, and irregular shapes according to their shape. Spherical grinding media are widely used in various ball milling equipment and machinery, and are widely used in fields such as mineral processing, building materials, electricity, chemical engineering, cement, etc. Common materials for spherical grinding media include alumina, zirconia, zirconium aluminum composite, zirconium silicate, silicon carbide, glass, etc.

Grinding balls can be divided into the following categories based on their material:

(1) Metal class

Metal grinding balls mainly consist of steel balls and alloy balls. Metal balls are usually used for grinding in large industries such as cement and coal mines. If metal grinding balls are used in the field of ceramics, it will introduce difficult to remove metal impurities and be difficult to apply. Therefore, non-metallic grinding media has become a better choice in the ceramic industry.

(2) Silicates

For non-metallic grinding media, commonly used include natural flint, sea pebble, agate, etc. as grinding media for ceramic production. Subsequently, various other silicate based grinding balls were developed, commonly including quartz based glass balls and grinding balls made from kaolin, feldspar, and quartz as raw materials. The commonality of these grinding media is that they all contain silica. In the ceramic industry and some building materials industries, the use of silicate based grinding media does not introduce impurities, and even the wear amount of the grinding media can be taken into account when calculating ingredients, ultimately controlling the content of silicon dioxide at a certain value.

(3) Alumina ceramics

Metal and silicate grinding balls belong to conventional grinding media balls, while alumina ceramic grinding balls have wear resistance, high hardness, high temperature resistance, high cost-effectiveness, and better usability. Aluminum oxide ceramic balls have gradually replaced metal balls and are widely used in fields such as cement and building materials. In daily ceramics, architecture, and sanitary ceramics, ceramic grinding balls have also gradually replaced silicate grinding balls.

(4) Zirconia ceramic

Zirconia ceramics have excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance, making them very suitable for use as wear-resistant structural ceramics. Due to the excellent performance of zirconia ceramic balls, they have a wide range of applications. In terms of high temperature and corrosion resistance, it can be used in steel, chemistry, automobiles, vacuum equipment, motors, etc. In the high-speed machinery industry, it can be used in machine tools, automobiles, airplanes, satellites, electric motors, general industrial machinery, vacuum equipment. Zirconia ceramics have excellent mechanical properties and are widely used as engineering structural materials.

Different industries and customers have varying levels of demand for grinding media. Dalian Gaoteng can simultaneously supply natural silica spheres, alumina ceramic grinding balls, and zirconia balls for customers to choose from.