Al₂O₃ Ceramic Alumina Grinding Balls: Zero Contamination for Pharma & Food Industries
In the pharmaceutical and food processing industries, maintaining the highest standards of purity and safety is paramount. Our inert Al₂O₃ ceramic balls ensure zero contamination with their exceptional chemical stability, high strength, and thermal resistance.
Key Features and Benefits
- High Purity: Over 99% Al₂O₃ content ensures unmatched purity for sensitive applications
- Chemical Stability: Resistant to acids, alkalis, and organic solvents
- Thermal Resistance: Withstands high temperatures for various industrial processes
- Mechanical Strength: High crush strength and durability for demanding environments
Applications
Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as catalyst support media in reactors and towers, preventing contamination while maintaining stability under high temperatures.
Food Processing: Ensures no unwanted substances leach into food products, safeguarding consumer health and product quality.
Chemical Composition
| Composition |
Al2O3 |
SIO2 |
CaO+MgO |
Fe2O3 |
| Wt% |
≥92 |
7 max |
≤2 |
<0.1 |
Typical Properties
| Specific Gravity g/cm3 |
Bulk Density kg/L |
Hardness Moh's |
Water Absorption % |
Self wearing loss %(24hrs) |
Compression Mpa |
| ≥3.65 |
≥2.2 |
9 |
<0.01 |
≤0.012 |
≥2000 |
Available Sizes (Φ mm)
| 0.5-1.0 |
6.0 |
20.0 |
70.0 |
| 1.0 |
8.0 |
25.0 |
80.0 |
| 2.0 |
10.0 |
30.0 |
90.0 |
| 3.0 |
13.0 |
40.0 |
100.0 |
| 4.0 |
15.0 |
50.0 |
|
| 5.0 |
18.0 |
60.0 |
|
Performance Comparison
1. Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Property |
Alumina (92%) |
Alumina (99%) |
Zirconia |
Steel |
Silica Sand |
| Density (g/cm³) |
3.6 |
3.9 |
6.0 |
7.8 |
2.2 |
| Hardness (Mohs/HV) |
9 (~1,500 HV) |
9 (~1,800 HV) |
8.5 |
6-7 |
7 |
| Wear Rate (g/ton) |
10-50 |
5-20 |
1-5 |
100+ |
300+ |
| Compressive Strength |
2,000 MPa |
2,500 MPa |
2,200 MPa |
500 MPa |
Low |
99% Alumina offers 30% lower wear than 92% grade
2-5x longer lifespan vs. steel in abrasive slurries
Harder than zirconia but less tough (ideal for fine grinding)
2. Chemical & Thermal Resistance
| Property |
Alumina (99%) |
Performance Impact |
| Chemical Inertness |
Resists pH 1-14 |
Safe for acids/alkalis, pharmaceuticals |
| Max Temperature |
1,600°C |
Stable in kilns, calcination |
| Thermal Shock |
Moderate |
Avoid rapid quenching (>200°C/min) |
| Contamination Risk |
None |
Zero metal ions (critical for Li-ion batteries) |
- Beats steel in corrosion resistance
- Outperforms silica sand in wear & consistency
3. Grinding Efficiency
- Achieves sub-micron fineness (D50 < 1µm) in wet/dry mills
- Higher density improves kinetic energy transfer
- Uniform shape/size prevents clogging in bead mills
Best For: High-purity materials (ceramics, electronics powders) and slurry processing (paints, dyes)
4. Industry-Specific Performance
| Industry |
Benefit of Alumina Balls |
| Mining |
50% lower replacement cost vs. steel in ore grinding |
| Pharma |
FDA-compliant, no endotoxin release |
| Batteries |
Prevents Fe/Ni contamination in cathode materials |
| Paints |
Maintains color purity (no metal leaching) |
5. Cost vs. Lifetime Analysis
| Media Type |
Cost per kg |
Lifespan (hours) |
Cost per Ton Ground |
| Alumina (92%) |
$5-10 |
2,000-3,000 |
$0.50-1.00 |
| Steel |
$2-4 |
500-800 |
$2.00-4.00 |
| Zirconia |
$50-100 |
5,000+ |
$0.20-0.50 |
Trade-Off: Alumina balances cost and performance - Ideal when zirconia is over-spec.
Performance Summary: Why Choose Alumina?
Cost-Effective: 3x cheaper than zirconia for moderate abrasion
High-Purity: 99.9% Al₂O₃ for sensitive applications (e.g., pharma)
Versatile: Works in ball/attritor/planetary mills
Low Maintenance: Non-corrosive, easy to clean
Limitations
Not for high-impact milling (e.g., hammer mills)
Thermal shock risk in rapid cooling applications
Custom Alumina Balls
We supply customized alumina balls to meet your specific requirements:
- Sizes: 1mm-50mm (±0.01mm tolerance)
- Grades: 92%, 95%, 99%, ZTA-composite
- Certifications: ISO 9001, RoHS, FDA (for pharma)
Package
25KG/woven bag, 1000KG-1250KG for one pallet with shrink wrapped
Factory Equipment
Exhibition & Partner
Case Studies
Ship to UAE
Ship to Netherlands
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are alumina ceramic balls made of?
They are made from aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃), a high-purity ceramic material known for its hardness and wear resistance.
2. What are the key properties of alumina ceramic balls?
High hardness, excellent wear resistance, chemical stability, high-temperature resistance (up to 1600°C), and electrical insulation.
3. What are alumina ceramic balls used for?
They are used as grinding media, bearing components, valve balls, and in applications requiring wear resistance and chemical inertness.
4. Why choose alumina balls over steel or other ceramics?
They offer superior wear resistance, chemical stability, and are lighter than steel, making them ideal for specific applications.
5. What sizes are available for alumina ceramic balls?
Sizes typically range from 1mm to several inches, depending on the application.