SiLibeads® Type ZY 6.0

• Paint and coatings industry: Suitable for grinding and dispersing paint and coating systems, pigments and dyes for textiles, plastics and foodstuffs.
• Ceramic industry: Used in electroceramics, glaze preparation, medical technology (e.g. hip and dental prostheses), magnetic ceramics and technical components such as exhaust manifolds.
• Plant protection: For dispersing fungicides, herbicides and insecticides.
• Cosmetics: Grinding of pigments and solids for lipsticks and creams.
• Pharmaceutical industry: Ultra-fine grinding down to the nano range for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
• Battery technology: Ultra-fine grinding and dispersion of cathode and anode materials, e.g. for lithium, sodium-ion and solid-state electrolyte batteries.

• High density and fine-grained structure: Durable and extremely wear-resistant.
• Polished surface: Reduces contamination and ensures maximum product quality.
• Sterilisable: Suitable for pharmaceutical applications without radioactivity.

SiLibeads® Ceramic Beads better grinding

SiLibeads® Performance wet milling Process

Zirconia beads offer several advantages when grinding in agitator ball mills, making them a popular choice in many industrial and scientific applications:

• High hardness and wear resistance: Zirconia beads are extremely hard and have excellent wear resistance. This makes them ideal for grinding very hard materials, as they are subject to less wear and have a longer service life than beads made of softer materials.
• High fracture resistance: These ceramic balls are characterised by high fracture resistance, which means that they are less prone to cracking or breaking under high loads. This is particularly important in high-energy mills, where the balls are constantly exposed to high loads.
• Chemical inertness: Zirconium oxide is chemically inert, which means that it does not react with the materials being ground. This is crucial when the purity of the ground product is of great importance, such as in the pharmaceutical industry or in the manufacture of electronic components.
• Low contamination: Compared to other grinding beads, zirconium oxide balls cause less contamination of the ground material. This is particularly important in the production of high-purity substances.
• High grinding efficiency: Due to their high density, zirconium oxide beads enable more efficient energy transfer during the grinding process. This results in faster and finer comminution of the material compared to lighter beads.
• Temperature resistance: Zirconium oxide can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for applications where high temperatures may occur during the grinding process.
• Suitable for high-speed mills: Their high strength and density make zirconium oxide beads suitable for high-speed mills, where higher impact and shear forces are exerted on the ground material.

Overall, zirconium oxide beads improve the efficiency and quality of the grinding process in agitator bead mills, especially when processing hard, pure or temperature-sensitive materials. Their properties enable a longer service life, lower contamination and efficient energy transfer.

Yes, zirconia beads can help save energy, especially in processes involving the grinding of materials in agitator bead mills. The energy-saving effect results from several properties of zirconia beads:

• High density and hardness: Zirconia beads have a high density and hardness, which enables more efficient energy transfer to the material being ground. This results in faster and more effective grinding of the material, which in turn consumes less energy compared to softer or lighter grinding beads.
• Lower wear: Due to their high wear resistance, zirconia balls reduce the need for frequent beads replacement, saving energy that would otherwise be spent on replacing and refilling the mill.
• Longer service life: The longer service life of zirconium oxide beads means that mills require less maintenance and beads need to be replaced less frequently, contributing to a reduction in overall energy consumption.
• Lower maintenance costs: Less wear and tear results in lower maintenance costs and mill downtime, increasing overall operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
• More efficient grinding processes: The high efficiency of zirconia beads in the grinding process can reduce the time required for grinding. This can lead to significant energy savings, especially in processes that require a high degree of fineness in the end product.

In summary, zirconia beads contribute to a reduction in energy consumption due to their physical properties and efficiency in the grinding process. This makes them a cost-effective and energy-efficient option in many industrial grinding applications.

The fineness of the grinding result that can be achieved with zirconium oxide beads of 0.1 mm or 0.05 mm in size depends on various factors, but in general, smaller beads enable finer grinding. Here are a few points to consider:

• Bead size: Smaller beads, such as 0.05 mm, offer a larger contact surface in relation to their volume and enable finer grinding of the material. They can grind smaller particles more effectively because they can penetrate into smaller spaces between the particles.
• Grinding time: The longer the material is ground, the finer it becomes. However, energy consumption also increases with increasing grinding time.
• Mill type and operating conditions: The type of mill (e.g. agitator ball mill, planetary ball mill) and its operating conditions (such as speed and filling degree) play a significant role in determining the fineness of the end product.
• Material properties: The hardness and initial particle size of the material to be ground also influence the result. Harder materials require more energy for fine grinding.
• Zirconia ball quality: The quality and uniformity of the zirconia beads also influence the grinding result. High-quality beads with low size deviations and high sphericity lead to better results.

With zirconia beads measuring 0.1 mm or 0.05 mm, you can generally achieve a very fine particle size, possibly in the micrometer range or even below, depending on the factors mentioned above. For extremely fine applications, such as in pharmaceuticals or in the manufacture of nanomaterials, these small bead sizes are often the preferred choice.

Whether tungsten carbide beads are better than zirconia beads depends largely on the specific application and requirements. Both materials have unique properties that make them suitable for different applications. Here are some points of comparison:

SiLibeads Type TC 9.5 made of tungsten carbide:

• Hardness: Tungsten carbide is one of the hardest materials available and offers excellent wear resistance. It is ideal for grinding very hard materials.
• Density: Tungsten carbide has a higher density than zirconia, which results in higher impact force during grinding and makes it more suitable for certain high-energy grinding processes.
• Toughness: While tungsten carbide is very hard, it can be less tough than zirconia under certain conditions and more susceptible to fracture under extreme loads.
• Chemical reactivity: Tungsten carbide is less chemically inert than zirconia, which can be a disadvantage in applications where chemical purity is important.

SiLibeads Type ZY 6.0, zirconium oxide beads:

• Chemical inertness: Zirconia is chemically inert and does not react with most substances. This makes it ideal for applications where contamination must be avoided.
• Breakage resistance: Zirconia has high breakage resistance, making it suitable for applications where the beads are subjected to high stresses without breaking.
• Versatility: Due to its chemical inertness and good mechanical properties, zirconium oxide is suitable for a wide range of applications, including those in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
• Heat resistance: Zirconium oxide is stable even at high temperatures, making it suitable for applications where heat is a factor.

Conclusion

• For very hard materials: Tungsten carbide may be more suitable as it is extremely hard and dense.
• For applications where chemical purity is important: Zirconia would be preferable as it is more chemically inert.
• For applications with high mechanical stresses: Zirconia may be preferred due to its higher fracture strength.
• Ultimately, the choice between tungsten carbide and zirconium oxide balls depends on the specific requirements of the grinding application, including factors such as the hardness of the material being ground, chemical purity, desired particle size and grinding process.

Zirconia beads are mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry for grinding and homogenising active pharmaceutical ingredients and other materials, with their specific properties making them particularly advantageous for certain applications. Here are some scenarios in which they are used:

• Production of fine powders: In pharmaceuticals, it is often necessary to process active ingredients into very fine powders to ensure effective bioavailability and uniform mixtures in tablets or capsules. Zirconium oxide balls enable very fine and uniform grinding.
• Processing of high-purity substances: Due to their chemical inertness, zirconium oxide beads are ideal for processing high-purity substances. They prevent contamination that can occur when using less inert materials.
• Nanotechnology applications: In pharmaceutical research and development, particularly in nanotechnology, zirconia balls are used to produce nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and other advanced therapeutic applications.
• Prevention of cross-contamination: Their chemical inertness and ease of cleaning make zirconium oxide beads ideal for processes where cross-contamination must be avoided, especially when different products are ground in the same equipment.
• Homogenisation of suspensions: In the manufacture of pharmaceutical suspensions, zirconia beads enable effective homogenisation of the ingredients, which is crucial for the consistency and efficacy of the final product.
• Temperature-stable processes: Zirconia can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for processes where temperature control is important to ensure the stability of the active ingredients.

Overall, zirconium oxide beads are used in the pharmaceutical industry when high purity, precision and efficiency in particle size reduction are required, especially in the manufacture of medicines, where quality and consistency are crucial.

Zirconium oxide beads are used in the grinding of lithium iron phosphate (LFP), an important cathode material in battery manufacturing. Their use is particularly advantageous in this context due to several specific properties:

• Chemical inertness: Zirconia does not react with lithium iron phosphate or other chemicals used in battery manufacturing. This inertness is crucial to prevent chemical contamination in the final product, which could impair battery performance and service life.
• High wear resistance: The high hardness and wear resistance of zirconium oxide beads make them ideal for long-lasting grinding of LFP without wearing out quickly. This is important for maintaining the consistency and quality of the grinding process and minimising the replacement of grinding beads, which reduces costs and downtime.
• Efficiency in the grinding process: Zirconia beads enable efficient and effective comminution of LFP particles. A fine and uniform particle size is crucial for the performance of lithium-ion batteries, as it enables a more uniform and efficient electrode structure.
• Reduction of particle agglomeration: When grinding powders such as LFP, it is important to prevent particle agglomeration to ensure high reactivity and consistent battery performance. Zirconia balls help to minimise the formation of agglomerates during the grinding process.
• Temperature resistance: Zirconia can withstand high temperatures, which is advantageous in processes where heat is generated. This helps prevent thermal degradation of the materials during the grinding process.

Insgesamt tragen Zirkonoxidkugeln durch ihre chemische Inertheit, hohe Verschleißfestigkeit und Effizienz im Mahlprozess wesentlich zur Qualität und Leistung der hergestellten Lithiumeisenphosphat-Batterien bei. Sie sind eine Schlüsselkomponente in der modernen Batterieherstellung, insbesondere bei der Produktion von Hochleistungsbatterien.

The specific bead diameter used when grinding lithium iron phosphate (LFP) for battery production depends on various factors, such as the desired particle size of the end product, the type of mill and the specific grinding process. However, the following bead diameters are commonly used in industry:

• Small diameters (less than 1 mm): Small zirconia beads, typically in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, are used for fine grinding. They are particularly effective for producing very fine particle sizes and ensure a high surface quality of the ground material.
• Medium diameters (1 mm to 3 mm): This size is often used for standard grinding and offers a good compromise between grinding efficiency and fineness of the end product. They are versatile and can be used in a wide range of mills.
• Larger diameters (over 3 mm): Larger beads are typically used for coarse grinding or in applications where a less fine particle size is acceptable. They are effective for initial particle size reduction before a fine grinding stage with smaller beads may follow.

The choice of bead diameter depends heavily on the specific requirements of the grinding process. When manufacturing LFP for batteries, it is crucial to achieve a uniform and fine particle size, as this can directly influence the performance and service life of the battery. In many cases, a combination of different ball sizes is used to achieve the optimum grinding result. It is crucial that the selected ball size works effectively with the mill to achieve the desired particle size, distribution and quality of the LFP powder.

The use of zirconia beads for grinding silicon for battery applications, especially lithium-ion batteries, is entirely possible and offers several advantages. In battery manufacturing, silicon is increasingly being researched and used as an anode material because it offers a higher energy density than conventional materials such as graphite. Here are some reasons why zirconia beads may be suitable for grinding silicon in this context:

• Chemical inertness: Zirconia does not react with silicon or other materials used in battery anodes, which is important for ensuring the purity and performance of the end product.
• High hardness and wear resistance: Zirconia beads are very hard and wear-resistant, making them suitable for efficiently grinding hard silicon.
• Controlled particle size: Precise control of particle size is important for battery applications. Zirconia balls can help achieve a uniform and fine particle size of the silicon, which is critical for battery performance and life.
• Minimisation of contamination: Since no contaminants from the beads enter the ground product, the integrity of the silicon for battery applications is preserved.
• Energy efficiency: Due to their high density, zirconium oxide balls can enable more efficient energy transfer during the grinding process, resulting in a more energy-efficient grinding process.

In battery manufacturing, where material quality directly affects battery performance and safety, such considerations are critical. However, the choice of grinding medium also depends on other factors, such as the specific mill design, grinding conditions and cost. Research and development in battery technology, particularly in new materials such as silicon anodes, are dynamic areas where new processes and materials are continuously being evaluated.