Grinding energy consumption and particle size distribution characteristics of Hexagon as a fine grinding medium

Hexagon is a kind of grinding medium mainly based on surface contact. Single size feeds of 1.18~2 mm, 0.6~1.18 mm and 0.3~0.6 mm and underflow samples in the second classification in practical production were used in the experiment. A batch grinding test was carried out by using equal masses of hexagons and cylpebs to analyze the distribution of particle size and grinding energy consumptions of the ground products as well as the relationship between specific surface area and volume density and energy consumption and t10 value. The experimental results show that hexagon as a fine grinding medium, compared with cylpeb, has the same particle size distribution in the JK size-dependent breakage model. Under the same grinding conditions, the grinding capacity of hexagon is not as good as that of cylpeb or steel ball. However, as the particle size of feed becomes finer, the differences of P80 and t10 value between hexagon- and cylpeb- ground products are becoming smaller. At the same time, the content of qualified granular grade in ground products is higher than that of cylpeb. Energy consumption of grinding is used for grinding ores into finer particles so that more surface area is generated. The relationship between the specific surface area and energy consumption of ores is consistent with the law of grinding fineness and energy consumption. In addition, the volume density of ores decreases with the increase of energy consumption of ore grinding. We conclude that hexagon is a better grinding medium than cylpeb in terms of fine grinding of brittle ores.