märkäjauhamisella

Märkäjauhaminen, or wet grinding, is a milling process used to reduce the particle size of solid materials suspended in a liquid medium. Unlike dry grinding, where the material is ground in its solid state, wet grinding involves the addition of a liquid, often water or a solvent, to the grinding chamber. This liquid acts as a lubricant, reducing friction between the grinding media and the material, and also helps to prevent agglomeration of the finely ground particles.

The process typically takes place in mills such as ball mills, bead mills, or stirred mills. Grinding media, which can be balls or beads made of ceramic, steel, or other hard materials, are agitated within the mill. As the media move, they impact, crush, and shear the solid particles suspended in the liquid, breaking them down into smaller sizes. The liquid medium also aids in the efficient transfer of energy from the grinding media to the material.

Wet grinding is often favored for materials that are heat-sensitive or prone to dust explosion when ground dry. The liquid also helps to remove heat generated during the grinding process, preventing thermal degradation of the material. Furthermore, the resulting slurry can be directly used in subsequent processing steps, such as chemical reactions or formulation, without the need for additional dispersion. This method is widely employed in industries such as ceramics, pharmaceuticals, paints, inks, and food processing. The particle size reduction achieved through wet grinding can significantly impact the properties of the final product, influencing its reactivity, dissolution rate, and overall performance.