Mill Mates Plus
Mill Mates Plus

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Ceramic Dispersion and Milling Media

Based Upon Ceria (Ce) Stabilized TZP*

Evolution in mill design and production requirements across a range of viscosities and particle sizes demand a superior media. Mill Mates Plus, from Zircoa, are engineered to satisfy these needs.

Formulations up to 50,000 cps and particle sizes less than 1µm are routinely processed and achieved with very low media and mill wear.

*TZP is an acronym for Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystals, a form of Zirconium Oxide.

Highly Engineered Performance

Mill Mates Plus are based on Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystals (TZP). The superior micro-structure makes possible a dispersion media with a higher fracture toughness, density and hardness.

Compared to the closest competing product(s), Mill Mates Plus last longer and require fewer re-charges. Using Mill Mates Plus will reduce mill wear and lessen downtime for maintenance, while it speeds processing time.

For a Wide Range of Formulations

Mill Mates Plus' highly engineered microstructure results in a bead that is fracture and wear resistant, extremely round, tough and dense. Mill Mates Plus become highly polished, resulting in very low friction and abrasive qualities.

Mill Mates Plus… the ultimate in Ceria Stabilized TZP technology. The best dispersion value for your most demanding needs.

Features & Benefits of Mill Mates Plus

Features Benefits
Tetragonal Zirconia
Polycrystal (TZP) ................

Extremely wear resistant, low contamination
Controlled, consistent
microstructure ....................

Predictable media performance, favorable hardness and toughness combination
Excellent roundness
and size distribution control ...

Maximum shear for increased efficiency in horizontal milling
Smooth
surface ..............................

Low mill wear, easily washed between formulations
High
density ..............................

Maximum throughput in recirculation grinding

Applications and Industries Served by Mill Mates Plus

Optimizing Mill Performance, Reducing Wear

Shear - Extensive testing confirms that shear is the predominant dispersion mechanism in fine media milling. Mill Mates Plus’ tight size distribution and extremely uniform size facilitates and intensifies this effect, delivering more shear during processing.

Product Feed Rate - Dense, smooth, and round media, which are uniform in size, allow for increased feed rates. Mill Mates Plus deliver all these features, minimizing the risk of hydraulic packing.

Particle Size Reduction Rate - Mill Mates Plus uniform size distribution, results in superior dispersion (compared to higher-priced media) reducing the time required to achieve a given particle size.

Mill Component Wear Rate - Laboratory and case studies demonstrate that Mill Mates Plus' low friction coefficient (associated with its smooth surface) results in very low wear on the mill, screen and other components.

Property/
Characteristic
 Units Mg-PSZ Ce-TZP
Mill  Mates
Plus
Y-TZP
Bead Wear Rate
  (1 hour under
  Hydraulic Packing)

%

8.4

0.1

0.04
Impeller Wear Rate % 0.29 0.01 0.07

Calculating the Correct Amount of Mill Mates Plus

Horizontal Mill Size
(Void Volume)
Mill Mates Plus (1mm)
 for 85% Charge
liters lbs kgs
15
20
45
100
200
110
148
333
740
1480
  50
  67
  151
  336
  673

Specifications

Mechanical Properties - Mill Mates Plus

Property  Units Mill  Mates
Plus
Composition - - (Ce-TZP)
Density g/cm3 6.25
Hardness (HV) GPa 11.3
Fracture
Toughness, K1C
MPa*m1/2  11.0
Elongation - - 0.96
Crush
Strength
 lbs. force 200
Wear Rate*
    Bead
    Impeller 

%
%

0.1
0.01
Surface - - Smooth, becoming highly
polished with use
Color - -  Dark Grey

*1 hour under Hydraulic Packing

Nominal Sizes - Mill Mates Plus

Nominal Size* Range (mm) Packing Density
kgs/L lbs/L
.5 mm
.7 mm
1.0 mm
1.5 mm
2.0 mm
.4 - .6 mm 
.6 - .85 mm
.85 – 1.18 mm
1.4 – 1.7 mm
1.7 - 2.3 mm
3.777
3.906
3.938
4.028
4.063
8.33
8.61
8.68
8.88
8.96

* Other sizes available upon request.

Typical Properties Comparison - Mill Mates Plus

Media Density
g/cm3
Primary
Material
Crushing
Strength
lbs/grain
(a)
Mill Mates Plus 6.25 CeO2 - ZrO2  150 – 300
Zirbeads 5.5 MgO - ZrO2  105 - 220
Zircon beads 3.7  ZrO2 - SiO2 105 – 160
Alumina beads 3.5 Al2O3 125 – 220
Glass beads 2.8  SiO2 40 – 70

(a) ASTM D1213-54