Different Types of Grinding Media

There are three types of grinding media that are most commonly used:
-Flint Pebbles
-Porcelain Balls
-Regular and high density Steel and other metal Balls
FLINT PEBBLES – These are the oldest type of grinding media in use and they Continue to be extremely popular. They can be used with all types of lining and even in the chrome manganese mills. Among the best known industries in which they are used are paint and enamel products – ceramic slip and glaze – latex compounds – aniline dyes – graphite and clay mixtures for lead pencils – and hundreds of other products requiring the finest results without contamination. They are exceptionally tough and longwearing and last for many years regardless of the kind of service. The best pebbles are collected along the Normandy Beach in France. They appear to be as plentiful as ever and the quality remains the same as in past years. The pebbles selected for Paul O. Abbé mills are predominantly light colored which have been found to give better service.
PORCELAIN BALLS – This is a pure white ceramic material with a dense, highly vitrified body that will not chip or crack in service. They have been immensely improved in quality in recent years and are used exclusively in many indus tries.
HIGH DENSITY MEDIA – This is the latest grinding media developed for Ball and Pebble Mills. They are made with a high alumina oxide content and have a density 40 to 50% greater than the regular porcelain balls. They are also fired at higher temperature making them harder and more abrasion resistant. High density media are available in various shapes including spheres, cylinders and ovals resembling the natural flint pebbles. Most benefit can be derived from the use of high density grinding media when the product is hard to grind and requires all the energy available to break it down, or where higher viscosities can be developed to advantage – as in the paint industry – through high pigment concentrations which can later be thinned out to...