Zirconia beads are grinding media which were made of zirconia (ZrO₂) and sintered at high temperatures. With characteristics such as a Mohs hardness of 8.5 (close to corundum), a bulk density of 5.6–6.0 g/cm³ (high specific gravity), an extremely low wear rate (<50 ppm/h for low contamination), and resistance to acid and alkali corrosion (stable at pH 1–14). It can reduce costs, increase solid content, enhance performance, and improve process operating conditions in coatings and painting industry grinding application.
Zirconia Beads Advantages In Painting and Coating Grinding
01. Making the process faster and more effective
Zirconia beads do not block ultraviolet (UV) light, especially below 25nm short-wave UV, it can easily pass through them and reach deep inside the coating. This allows UV-curable coatings to cure thoroughly all the way through — not just on the surface — making the process faster and more effective. For electron beam-curable coatings, zirconia beads can increase viscosity and control flow.
02. Saves cost and time of frequent repairs or repainting
Zirconia beads are hard and wear resistant. When use them in paint or coatings grinding, it help the painting and coating surface tough and scratch-resistant. This help you saving cost and time of frequent repairs or repainting. If use traditional soft or irregular-shaped particlesfillers , the coating and painting surface will quickly wear down or crack.
03. Makes the coating durable and low permeability
Zirconia grinding media have spherical particles which makes the coating durable and low permeability. The chemically inert surface provides good physical barrier against moisture, heat, salt spray, and chemical corrosion.
04. Make the mixture easier to flow
Zirconia beads are dense and heavy, roll easily, and have high impact energy. When use it in coating grinding, they make the mixture less thick, easier to flow, and smoother to spray.
05. Reduce Gloss Control
Many materials that control glossiness tend to increase viscosity. However, the use of zirconia beads can significantly reduce glossiness without significantly increasing viscosity.
06. Higher Filling Capacity and Reduced Cost
Compared to fillers with other shapes, zirconia beads have the smallest surface area to volume ratio. This allows a reduction in resin usage and an increase in filler loading. Furthermore, smaller microspheres fill the gaps between larger microspheres, thereby increasing solid content, reducing VOC, and also lowering costs.
Contact us by email of sales@innovacera.com for more detail of standard zirconia grinding media or customized grinding solution based on your requirement.
