Preparation of fine suspensions using stirred media bead mill

Objectives. To determine the change patterns for the main physical properties of suspensions after their grinding in bead mills, with the prospect of optimizing the preparation technology and extending the results obtained to other dispersed phases.Methods. The study used the Fraunhofer laser diffraction method to determine particle size. The obtained data on the particle size distribution of suspensions were qualitatively verified by optical microscopy. The Brookfield relative viscosity method was used to evaluate the rheological properties of the resulting suspensions. The density of the resulting suspensions was measured by the hanging method using a calibrated pycnometer.Results. The dependencies of the change in the particle size distribution after grinding in a bead mill were established. The viscosity of the suspensions was observed to increase following grinding. Common regularities of changes in the density of the considered suspensions were established.Conclusions. The conducted studies showed that the physical and mechanical properties of suspensions are affected by the type and the filling ratio of the grinding media; the residence time of the suspension in the grinding chamber; the number of grinding operations; mill designs.