This machine is a high-precision planetary ball mill engineered for
advanced research and development laboratories. Its primary
function is the ultra-fine grinding, mixing, homogenization, and
mechanical alloying of small sample quantities down to the
nano-scale (typically < 100 nm). It is characterized by its
versatility in supporting both dry grinding and wet grinding
pulverization methods within a compact, benchtop design.
1. Core Working Principle: Planetary Movement
The defining feature is its "planetary" motion, which generates
extremely high centrifugal forces:
Dual Rotation: Multiple grinding jars (mill pots) are secured on a rotating disk
called the planetary disk or sun wheel. Each jar rotates around its
own axis (revolution) while the entire disk simultaneously rotates
in the opposite direction around a central axis (rotation).
High-Energy Impact: This synergistic movement propels the grinding balls inside the
jars along complex trajectories. The balls collide with the jar
walls and each other with tremendous energy, combining impact and
friction to pulverize the sample material efficiently and rapidly.
Precise Control: The speed ratio between the disk and the jars is critical,
allowing users to precisely control the energy input for achieving
target particle sizes.
2. Key Features and Specifications
| Feature | Description | Significance |
|---|
| Grinding Modes | Dry Grinding & Wet Grinding | Dry: Suitable for brittle materials, coarse-to-medium fine
grinding.
Wet: Essential for nano-grinding, prevents agglomeration, cools the
sample. |
| Final Fineness | Nano-Scale (< 100 nm) | Capable of achieving particle sizes required for advanced material
science, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology research. |
| Design Type | Vertical Orientation | Compact benchtop footprint, optimal for space-constrained
laboratories. Jars are mounted vertically on the planetary disk. |
| Sample Capacity | Laboratory Small Scale | Jar volumes typically range from 12 ml to 500 ml, ideal for R&D
where material is scarce or expensive. Minimizes sample waste. |
| Speed Control | Variable Speed (e.g., 100 - 1100 rpm) | Digital control of rotation speed (RPM) is crucial for
replicability and optimizing grinding energy for different
materials. |
| Programmability | Digital Timer, Cycle Programming | Allows setting precise grinding durations (seconds to hours) and
often features intermittent (pulse) or reverse cycling to prevent
overheating. |
| Jar & Ball Materials | Stainless Steel, Tungsten Carbide, Agate, Zirconia, PTFE | Choice of material is vital to prevent contamination. Zirconia is
highly preferred for nano-grinding due to its high density and wear
resistance. |
3. Detailed Breakdown of Grinding Modes
A) Nano-Scale Vertical Dry Grinding Pulverizer
Process: The sample is loaded as a dry powder into the grinding jar.
Challenges: When aiming for nano-scale particles, dry grinding can lead to
agglomeration (particles re-adhering) and caking on the jar walls
due to van der Waals forces.
Solutions: Often requires the use of a Process Control Agent (PCA)—a small
amount of surface-active substance (e.g., stearic acid)—to coat
particles and prevent cold welding. Optimal for materials that are
inherently brittle.
Best For: Initial size reduction, grinding moisture-sensitive materials,
preparing dry powders for X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.
B) Nano-Scale Vertical Wet Grinding Pulverizer
Process: The sample is combined with a liquid medium (e.g., water, ethanol,
hexane) inside the jar to form a slurry or suspension.
Advantages: The liquid acts as a coolant (reducing heat build-up) and a
dispersant (keeping nanoparticles separated), which is critical for
achieving a stable, true nano-scale dispersion. It results in a
more uniform particle size distribution.
Best For: Ultimate fineness, preparing nano-suspensions, grinding ductile
materials, and minimizing thermal degradation of sensitive samples.
4. Applications in Laboratory Small Sample Preparation
This machine is indispensable in fields where small, representative
samples must be prepared to an extremely fine and homogeneous
state:
Materials Science: Synthesis of nano-powders, mechanical alloying, production of
composite materials.
Geology & Mining: Pulverizing rock, mineral, and soil samples to a fine powder for
precise chemical analysis (XRF, ICP-MS).
Pharmaceuticals: Size reduction of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to
enhance bioavailability, and homogenization of formulations.
Chemicals & Ceramics: Preparing fine ceramic powders, pigments, and catalysts.
Biology & Agriculture: Grinding plant tissues, seeds, and soil samples for nutrient and
contaminant analysis.
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