Exemplifying the Applications of Zirconia Ceramic Balls

(1) Refining Ultrafine Powders

Zirconia ceramic balls, serving as grinding media, find prominent application in the ultrafine grinding of non-metallic minerals such as heavy calcium carbonate, kaolin, and mica. The diameter of the grinding media correlates with the size of the raw materials and the target product size. To optimize grinding efficiency, the diameter of the grinding media must surpass the raw material's size by a factor of 10, while reaching 200 times the desired particle size. The Mohs hardness of the grinding media should exceed that of the material being ground by at least threefold. This necessitates using grinding media with the smallest feasible dimensions to achieve micrometer and nanometer-level ultrafine particles. Zirconia ceramic grinding balls, renowned for their substantial density, manage to uphold high grinding efficiency even within a compact volume. Their significant density and diminutive size ensure they do not contaminate the material being ground, thus aligning with the production demands of ultrafine powders. As a result, zirconia ceramic balls have firmly established themselves as prevalent grinding media in sand mills.

(2) In the Realm of Ceramic Industries

In the domain of architectural and sanitary ceramics, employing ordinary silica as grinding media not only yields lackluster grinding efficiency but also introduces excess silicon dioxide due to substantial wear. This necessitates recalibrating the formulation of the body and glaze. Zirconia ceramic grinding media offers a solution with its attributes of low wear, high efficiency, and preservation of material whiteness. This versatile solution has been extensively adopted across diverse markets. In the cement industry, an increasing number of companies are opting for ceramic grinding balls as a substitute for steel balls. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) closely resembles steel in terms of thermal expansion coefficient. Even at elevated temperatures of 600°C, its hardness and strength remain largely unaffected, rendering it a compelling alternative to steel balls. Nonetheless, due to cost considerations, many enterprises lean towards alumina ceramic products. Alumina ceramic balls exhibit roughly 50% less wear than steel balls, boasting a lifespan 2 to 3 times longer. The reduced weight of alumina ceramic balls not only extends the life of grinding machinery but also conserves substantial electrical energy, making them a cost-effective choice in the cement industry.

(3) Ink, Paint, and Coating Applications

The kinetic energy of a moving object can be represented by E=1/2mv². Consequently, under constant rotational speed, an object with greater density possesses heightened kinetic energy. The ink and paint industry deals with materials characterized by high viscosity and poor dispersibility, necessitating grinding media that can impart sufficient kinetic energy to disperse the materials and break down agglomerates. Zirconia ceramic grinding media, owing to their substantial density, emerge as the preferred choice for such industries. Additionally, particle fineness remains a crucial determinant of ink performance and print adaptability. The fineness impacts glossiness and rheological properties of ink. While typical ink fineness can reach 15μm, extra-fine inks can achieve 1~2μm. Utilizing zirconia ceramic microbeads in sand mills instead of traditional glass beads significantly enhances grinding efficiency and permits fine-tuning of ink fineness, leading to the attainment of optimal products.