Micronised Powders for the Ceramics Industry
Micronised and Milled Zirconium Silicate
Zircon (Zirconium Silicate) is a naturally occurring mineral which is extracted from alluvial sands and purified by physical and chemical means prior to being processed for ceramic, refractory and other applications. Its chemical composition is ZrSi04, it is a single substance and none of its silica exists as a separate mineral. Due to it being a natural product there are trace elements present in the crystal lattice.
Our ZircozonTM range of products are finely micronised zirconium silicates each with specifically controlled particle size and chemical composition, developed for the Ceramics industry for use as high performance Opacifiers in glazes, (Tile/Sanitaryware).
Typical Chemical Properties of Zircon
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Zirconia + Hafnia
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Zr02 + Hf02
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66%
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Silica
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Si02
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32.5%
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Titania
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Ti02
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0.15%
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Iron
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Fe203
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0.08%
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Typical Physical Properties of Zircon
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Specific Gravity
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4.6
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Refractoriness
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2200°C
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Particle Size
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75 to 250 microns – processed in a range of sizes down to 1 micron |
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Colour
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Cream-brown granules – processed in a ceramic mill to a white powder |
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Refractive Index
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1.94 – 2.00
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Hardness
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7 Moh’s index
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Processed Material Properties: Particle Size is Primary Selection Criteria
Micronised Products – Powders
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Brand
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Particle Size Microns
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Specific Surface
Area cm2/G
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Ceramic Glaze Opacity Colour Comparison Test L-value: 10% addition |
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Zircozon One
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D50 1.2µ
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40,000
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92.5
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Zircozon Five
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D50 1.5µ
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35,000
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90.5
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Zircozon Ten
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D50 2.5µ
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27,000
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88.5
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Zircozon Fifteen
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D50 3µ
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25,000
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87.5
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Zircozon 400DM
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D50 3.5µ
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20,000
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Zircozon 600DM
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D50 3.5µ
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20,000
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Zircozon 325WG
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D50 4µ
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15,000
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Note: European Standard
Sanitaryware White glaze
L-value 88
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Zircozon D
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D50 4.6µ
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4,000
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Zircozon DM
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D50 3.5µ
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18,000
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We have also introduced, for specific customers, Zircozon 5 Slop (Slurry). It is a pure water based suspension suitable for transportation by road tanker, reducing waste and aiding ceramic glaze applications. Minchem HMP Ltd operate our own road tanker for this purpose.
Ceramic Colour and Glaze Opacification and Special Ceramic compositions, Filler Extender for plastics/rubbers, with particle size as the primary selection criteria.
All dry powders are packed in 25 kg 3 ply paper sacks on wooden pallets of 1,000 kg net, 1,020 kg gross, shrink wrapped for transportation.
Testing Methods: Particle size by Coulter Laser System : Specific Surface Area by Cecil Spectrophotometer
The processes used by Minchem HMP Ltd is of sufficient flexibility to be capable of manufacturing short or long runs of customer’s own specific requirements.