Catalyst Porous Alumina Milling Media Beads Ceramic Grinding Balls
Catalysts play a pivotal role in chemical reactions, enhancing rates and selectivity to produce desired products efficiently. Among the various catalyst support materials available, porous alumina beads are gaining popularity due to their exceptional properties and versatility.
Understanding Porous Alumina Beads
Porous alumina beads are spherical ceramic materials characterized by their high porosity, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. These beads serve as support media for catalysts, providing a robust framework that enhances catalytic activity. The porosity of alumina beads allows for improved mass transfer efficiency, making them ideal for various chemical processes.
Key Properties of Porous Alumina Beads
- High Surface Area: The porous nature of alumina beads offers a large surface area, crucial for maximizing the interaction between the catalyst and reactants.
- Thermal Stability: Alumina beads can withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for reactions occurring at elevated temperatures.
- Mechanical Strength: The beads exhibit excellent compressive strength, ensuring durability and longevity in industrial applications.
- Chemical Resistance: Porous alumina beads resist corrosion and chemical attack, maintaining their integrity in harsh environments.
Applications of Porous Alumina Beads in Chemical Reactions
Porous alumina beads find applications in various industries due to their unique properties:
1. Petroleum Refining
In petroleum refining, porous alumina beads are used as catalyst support media in processes like hydrocracking and reforming. Their high surface area and thermal stability facilitate efficient conversion of hydrocarbons, enhancing yield and selectivity.
2. Environmental Catalysis
Alumina beads are employed in catalytic converters to reduce emissions from vehicles. Their ability to support catalysts like platinum and palladium helps in the effective conversion of toxic gases into less harmful substances.
3. Chemical Synthesis
In the synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, porous alumina beads act as catalyst carriers, promoting reactions such as oxidation, hydrogenation, and polymerization. Their chemical resistance ensures minimal contamination, resulting in high-purity products.
4. Membrane Technology
Porous alumina beads are also utilized in membrane technology for filtration and separation processes. Their controlled porosity allows for selective permeability, making them ideal for applications in water treatment and gas separation.
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)
| Size (mm) |
Size (mm) |
Size (mm) |
Size (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 |
|
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 |
Key Takeaways:
- 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).
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). |
Vs. Competitors:
- Beats steel in corrosion resistance.
- Outperforms silica sand in wear & consistency.
Grinding Efficiency
- Particle Size Reduction: Achieves sub-micron fineness (D50 < 1µm) in wet/dry mills.
- Speed: Higher density (vs. silica) improves kinetic energy transfer.
- Consistency: Uniform shape/size prevents clogging in bead mills.
Best For:
- High-purity materials (e.g., ceramics, electronics powders).
- Slurry processing (paints, dyes).
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). |
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.
Need Custom Alumina Balls?
We supply:
- 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
FAQ
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.
Your message must be between 20-3,000 characters!
