Some grinding media options

Norstone Inc. has multiple options for your grinding media needs. We are also happy to discuss which media would work best for your needs. Since there are so many choices for grinding media today, we will look a little more closely at some of the popular media used.

Zirconia silica beads

The most popular grinding media used today, zirconia silica beads come in two manufactured styles-- fused and sintered. The sintered is the least expensive option, but if you are able to make the investment, the fused zirconia silica beads last longer. The fused style is also available in a greater range of sizes compared to the sintered version. Since the fused beads also have a consistent hardness from the crust through, they do not wear down as quickly once the crust is worn like the sintered beads do. And, you can screen the fused beads for reuse in smaller media mills.

The sintered beads, however, are a good choice for low energy media mills like sand mills, shot mills, and attritors.

This is a medium density grinding media.

Steatite media

A great alternative to using pebbles, steatite media is inexpensive but it must be ordered by the metric ton. This size reduction media is used in ball mills and attritors and comes in sizes from 4.5mm-60mm diameter, satellite type spheres and cylinders. Steatite media is a fused magnesium silicate composite. If you need help determining whether this media type would be appropriate for your stirred ball mill or jar mill, please contact us and we would gladly review your options to determine which is best for your needs and your budget.

Mullite bauxite beads

This particular alumina media's density is higher than glass and lower than other aluminas, meaning it will last longer than glass and be less abrasive than its alumina counterparts. Besides beads, mullite is also available in satellites and cylinders. Mullite bauxite beads have about 35%Si02. Mullite bauxite beads have also been utilized replacing cast iron sands.