Product Overview
This is a 500ml grinding jar made from Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), designed for use in planetary ball mills. The dimensions (D100 x H119 mm) provide a specific form factor that is crucial for compatibility.
Detailed Specification Breakdown
Capacity: 500ml
This is a standard, versatile size for research and development (R&D) work. It's ideal for:
- Initial method development and optimization.
- Experiments where material is scarce or expensive.
- Small-batch production of high-value powders.
It's more common and manageable for daily lab use compared to the much larger 2500ml jar.
Material: Y-Stabilized Zirconia (Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia - YSZ)
This is a critical detail. Pure zirconia (ZrO₂) undergoes a destructive phase change during heating and cooling. The addition of Yttrium Oxide (Y₂O₃) as a stabilizer:
- Prevents Cracking: It maintains the strong, tough tetragonal/cubic phase of zirconia at all temperatures, preventing phase-related failure.
- Enhances Fracture Toughness: YSZ is renowned for its exceptional strength and resistance to crack propagation, a property known as "transformation toughening." This makes it more durable against mechanical shock than many other ceramics.
- Maximizes Wear Resistance: It retains all the superior hardness and wear resistance of pure zirconia, ensuring long service life and minimal contamination.
Dimensions: D100 x H119 mm
D100: The internal diameter of the jar is 100 mm. This is a vital measurement for ensuring it fits the clamps or holders of your specific planetary ball mill.
H119: The internal height is 119 mm. This gives the jar its specific volume and aspect ratio.
Why this matters: You must cross-reference these dimensions with your mill's specifications. A jar that is too wide or too tall will not fit or could be unsafe to operate.
Type: Planetary Milling Jar
Like the previous jar, it's designed for the high-energy, complex motion of a planetary ball mill, where the jar simultaneously rotates on its own axis while revolving around a central axis.
Key Features and Advantages
- Superior Mechanical Properties: YSZ offers the best combination of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance among common milling jar materials.
- Extreme Purity & Low Contamination: Ideal for milling advanced ceramics, battery materials, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors where even minute contamination from the jar walls is unacceptable.
- Excellent Chemical Inertness: Resists attack from most acids, alkalis, and solvents, making it perfect for both dry and wet milling processes.
- Durability: The Y-stabilization makes it less prone to chipping or catastrophic failure compared to some other ceramic materials.
Comparison: 500ml Y-Stabilized vs. 2500ml Zirconia Jar
| Feature | 500ml Y-Stabilized Zirconia Jar | 2500ml Zirconia Jar |
| Capacity | 500 ml (R&D, small batch) | 2500 ml (Scale-up, larger batch) |
| Material | Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) | Likely YSZ, but specification is key. |
| Key Benefit | Optimal fracture toughness and durability. | Large volume for production. |
| Primary Use | Method development, precious materials, general R&D. | Process scaling, producing larger quantities. |
| Cost | Lower cost per jar, more accessible for labs. | Higher initial investment. |
| Mill Requirement | Fits most medium/large lab-scale planetary mills. | Requires a powerful mill with a large platform. |
Important Considerations for Use
- Mill Compatibility (CRITICAL): Confirm that a jar with dimensions D100 x H119 mm is compatible with your specific planetary mill model (e.g., Retsch PM series, Fritsch Pulverisette series, etc.). The mounting system must accommodate this size.
- Grinding Media: You must use grinding balls of the same material (Y-Stabilized Zirconia). Using a different, harder material (like tungsten carbide) will damage the jar.
- Filling Ratio: Adhere to the standard rules: filling the jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with grinding balls, with the powder and any solvent not exceeding the spaces between the balls.
- Cleaning: Clean thoroughly with appropriate solvents (e.g., water, ethanol) and/or an ultrasonic cleaner to prevent cross-contamination between experiments.
