What is the difference between an ultrafine grinder and a grinding mill?

Comparison Dimensions

Comparison Dimension	Ultrafine Grinder	Grinding Mill
Target Particle Size	Typically ≤ 1 µm, often reaching nano‑scale	Particle size range from several tens of micrometers to several hundred micrometers
Energy Density	High energy density with uniform distribution; lower specific energy consumption	Relatively lower energy density; mainly depends on rotor speed and grinding media
Grinding Media	Uses fine, high‑hardness media or gas‑flow/impact methods, suitable for ultra‑fine powders	Commonly uses larger media such as steel balls, ceramic balls, etc.
Process Mode	Combines impact, shear, and gas‑flow classification; often equipped with both dry and wet modes	Primarily ball‑mill or vertical grinding; classification function is comparatively weak
Application Scenarios	Pharmaceuticals, electronic materials, functional powders, and other industries requiring extremely fine and uniform particles	Traditional mining, construction materials, chemicals, and other sectors with relatively relaxed fineness requirements

1. Target Particle Size

Ultrafine grinders

The design target is typically below 1µm, and can even achieve nanometer-scale (≤100nm) particle sizes.

Through extremely narrow gaps, strong shear, or impact-shear coupling, they achieve deep refining of high-hardness materials.

Conventional grinders

Particle sizes range from tens to hundreds of microns, with a typical fine-refining limit of approximately 20–100µm (P80). Finer particle sizes require secondary ultrafine grinding.

2. Energy Density and Energy Consumption

Ultrafine grinders

Use a grinding chamber design with high energy density and uniform energy distribution, resulting in significantly lower specific energy consumption than traditional ball mills.

Through narrow gap high shear or airflow-impact methods, energy is concentrated in the effective grinding zone, avoiding "ineffective grinding zones" and improving energy efficiency.

Conventional grinders

Energy density is relatively low, primarily relying on rotor speed and the impact and abrasive effects of the grinding media. At the same production capacity, specific energy consumption is often higher than that of ultrafine grinders, especially during the coarse crushing stage.
3. Grinding Media
Ultrafine grinders often use fine, high-hardness media (such as micron-sized ceramic balls and zirconia particles) or airflow/impact jets. The media size is matched to the grinding chamber to achieve extremely fine shearing.
The media can be flexibly adjusted based on material hardness and target particle size to avoid metal contamination, making them suitable for high-purity nanopowders.
Conventional grinders primarily use relatively large media such as steel balls, ceramic balls, and ceramic rods, ranging in size from a few millimeters to tens of millimeters.
The impact and abrasion of the media are the primary refining mechanisms, making them suitable for coarse, fine, and medium-fine powder production.
4. Process and Classification
Ultrafine grinders combine impact, shear, and airflow classification, often with both dry and wet modes, enabling both grinding and online classification within the same device. High-frequency vibration, ultra-high-speed rotors, or air classifiers are used to achieve a narrow and uniform particle size distribution.
They are suitable for continuous operation, and particle size can be controlled by adjusting the speed, media volume, and fluid medium.
Conventional grinding mills
Mainly ball mills or vertical mills, they rely primarily on impact and abrasion. Classification is often achieved through external screening or cyclones, resulting in relatively low classification efficiency.
They often operate intermittently or in closed circuits, requiring additional classifying equipment to achieve a fine and uniform product.
They are suitable for coarse and fine grinding processes and are often used in combination with crushers and screens.
5. Application Scenarios
Ultrafine Grinding Mills
Pharmaceuticals: Nano-sizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to improve solubility and bioavailability.
Electronic Materials: Nano-sizing high-purity metal oxides and ceramic powders (such as lithium battery cathode materials) to enhance electrochemical performance.
Functional Powders: High-end materials such as those used for optical, magnetic, and catalytic applications that require extremely high particle size uniformity. High-end coatings and inks: Fineness directly determines optical clarity and rheological properties.
General grinding mills
Traditional mining: Fine crushing and pre-selection of metal and non-metallic ores.
Building materials: Medium and fine crushing of cement, limestone, and ceramic raw materials.
Chemicals: Production of bulk powders (such as silica sand and calcium carbonate), requiring a particle size range of 20–200µm.
Energy: Fine crushing of coal and coke to improve combustion efficiency.