Study of the Ball Milling Device for Synthesizing Nanocrystalline Powder

Abstract

This study is a kinematic model of a mechanical mill that works with a single ball in motion, and which is operated by a crank and connecting rod system for producing nanocrystalline powders by the process of ball milling. The geometric and dynamic parameters play an important role on the variation of forces created upon impact of the ball with the inside wall of the vial, which caused energy transfer required for the mechanical alloying process. The determination of these forces enables us to know their specific magnitudes on the intensity and milling efficiency, with the advantage of low operating power consumption of the mill and absence of the contamination problem. In addition, we have defined a model for calculating the temperature of the powder trapped between the ball and the wall of the vial of the mechanical mill whose start-up is provided by an electric motor.