A ball mill is a type of grinder used to pulverize materials into extremely fine powder. It functions by rotating a cylinder containing grinding media, typically steel balls, which impact and shear the material, reducing its particle size. For example, it can be employed to process pigments for paints, pharmaceutical ingredients, or minerals for use in various industrial applications.
The equipment offers considerable versatility in material processing due to its ability to handle diverse substances, from brittle solids to relatively soft compounds. Its effectiveness in achieving particle size reduction to the micron or even nanometer scale is a significant advantage in industries requiring precisely controlled material properties. Historically, ball mills have played a crucial role in the development of materials science and engineering by enabling the creation of new materials with enhanced performance characteristics.
