This configuration refers to a versatile and high-purity laboratory
grinding instrument designed for applications where sample
contamination must be absolutely minimized. The core of this system
is the agate grinding jar, which is specifically engineered to handle both dry grinding and wet grinding processes effectively.
| Model No. | ZLXQM-0.4 |
|---|
| Volume of each matched Jar | 100ml |
|---|
| Voltage | 220V - 50Hz |
|---|
| Machine Size | 500*300*340mm |
|---|
| Machine Weight | 100 Kg without mill jar |
|---|
| Work mode | 4 jars working together |
|---|
| Mill mode | Dry / wet milling |
|---|
| Speed Frequency | Adjusting |
|---|
| Drive Mode | Gear drive |
|---|
| Rotational Speed | 90-870 r/min, adjusting |
|---|
| revolution: rotation | 1:2.14 |
|---|
| Material Capacity | Material + mill balls < 2/3 volume |
|---|
| Input Granularity Size | < 10mm for soft material,
< 3mm for hard material |
|---|
| Output Granularity Size | Minimum 0.1μm |
|---|
| Field of application | Geology, Mining, Metallurgy, Electronics, Construction Material,
Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Light
Industry Medicine, Environmental Protection etc. |
|---|
| Feed material | Soft, hard, brittle, fibrous, cellulose, herb, glass, soil,ore,
pharmacy, chemical, fluorescent, pigment etc. |
|---|
| Type of grinding jars | Stainless steel, zirconia, alumina, nylon, PU, tungsten,PTFE etc.,
vacuum jars are available as well. |
|---|
| Type of grinding medium | Stainless steel balls, zirconia balls, alumina balls, PU balls,
steel carbon balls, tungsten balls, etc. |
|---|
| Max. continuous operating time (full-load) | 72 hours |
|---|
| Interval operation | With direction reversal |
|---|
| Certificate | ISO 9001. CE certificate |
|---|
1. Core Component: The Agate Grinding Jar
Agate is a naturally occurring silicate mineral (a variety of quartz)
known for its exceptional properties for laboratory use:
Extreme Hardness & Wear Resistance: With a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7, agate is significantly harder than
most sample materials but is machined to a very smooth, non-porous
surface. This results in minimal wear during milling, ensuring exceptionally low contamination.
Superior Chemical Inertness: Agate is highly resistant to acids, alkalis, and organic solvents
(with the exception of hydrofluoric acid). This makes it ideal for
grinding a wide range of chemicals without reacting with the sample
or the grinding liquid.
Thermal Stability: It maintains its structural integrity under the heat generated
during grinding.
Dual-Purpose Design: These jars are crafted to be perfectly sealed with robust lids and
gaskets, preventing leakage during high-energy wet grinding while
also being easy to clean and dry for dry grinding applications.
2. The Grinding System: Planetary Ball Mill
The jar operates within a planetary ball mill, which provides the high-energy motion necessary for efficient
pulverization:
Principle: The mill features a rotating platform (sun wheel) on which the
agate jar is mounted. The jar rotates around its own axis while the
platform rotates in the opposite direction. This generates strong
centrifugal forces, causing the grinding balls to impact and
frictionally grind the sample with high energy.
Benchtop Size: As a "small laboratory" instrument, it is compact, with jars
typically ranging from 50 ml to 500 ml in capacity, perfect for R&D with precious or small-quantity
samples.
3. Dual-Purpose Operation: Dry vs. Wet Grinding
The key advantage of this system is its flexibility:
A) Dry Grinding with Agate Jar
Process: The sample is loaded as a dry powder into the jar with the
grinding balls.
Best For: Pulverizing brittle materials, soil, rocks, and chemicals where
the introduction of a liquid is undesirable. It is excellent for
preparing samples for techniques like X-Ray Diffraction (XRD).
Consideration: For very fine dry grinding, materials may tend to agglomerate. The
high-energy impact of the planetary mill helps mitigate this.
B) Wet Grinding (or Wet Milling) with Agate Jar
Process: The sample is combined with a suitable liquid (e.g., water,
ethanol) to form a slurry inside the jar.
Best For:
Achieving nano-scale particles, as the liquid prevents re-agglomeration.
Grinding ductile or elastic materials.
Preparing stable colloidal suspensions.
Reducing heat generated during milling.
Advantage: The chemical inertness of agate ensures that no impurities are
leached into the solvent, preserving the integrity of the
suspension.
4. Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|
| Jar Material | Natural or Synthetic Agate (high-purity, polished interior) |
| Jar Capacity | Common sizes: 50ml, 100ml, 250ml |
| Compatibility | Dry & Wet Grinding |
| Grinding Balls | Agate balls of various sizes (e.g., 3mm, 5mm, 10mm) |
| Mill Type | Benchtop Planetary Ball Mill |
| Typical Final Fineness | < 1 µm (can reach nanometer range with wet grinding and extended time) |
| Key Advantage | Ultra-Low Contamination, ideal for trace element analysis |
5. Primary Applications
This setup is indispensable in fields where sample purity is
non-negotiable:
Geology & Mineralogy: Preparing rock, mineral, and soil samples for precise chemical
analysis (e.g., ICP-MS, XRF) where metallic contamination from
stainless steel jars would be catastrophic.
Archaeology & Ceramics: Grinding ancient pottery, pigments, and other artifacts for
compositional study without introducing modern contaminants.
Pharmaceuticals & Biology: Size reduction of sensitive organic compounds and active
ingredients where chemical purity is critical.
Advanced Materials Research: Grinding precursor materials for ceramics and glass where even
trace metals can alter material properties.
Quality Control Labs: Used in industries like cement, pigments, and cosmetics for
consistent, contamination-free sample preparation.
