The effect of grinding aids on dry micro fine grinding of feldspar

The aim of this study was to investigate dry micro-fine grinding of sodium feldspar (albite) with and without grinding aids using a vertical stirred ball mill. The effect of amine based various grinding aids (BMA 1923, BMA 1517, KATPLAST 54 and GRACE XS 304) and dosages (500, 1000 and 2000g/t) were investigated and test results were evaluated based on the product size (d80) and specific energy consumption. Tests revealed that the grinding energy required to reach target grinding size (d80=10 micron) was reduced up to 60% using grinding aids. BMA 1923 was determined to be the most effective grinding aid in terms of target d80 except that lower sizes could be reached with BMA 1517 at the same dosage and similar energy consumptions. •Dry micro-fine grinding of albite was performed in a batch type stirred mill.•The effects of grinding aids were investigated.•Aids used were BMA 1923, BMA 1517, KATPLAST 54 and GRACE XS 304.•The energy required to reach d80=10μm was reduced up to 60% using grinding aids.•BMA 1923 was determined to be the most effective grinding aids in terms target d80.