Grinding Media for Paints & Coatings
Brilliant colour, gloss and stability depend on how finely the pigment is dispersed.
Target fineness
Typical bead size
Mill type
Horizontal bead mill
Three things that make or break a coatings grind
Colour purity
Throughput
Heat control
What we'd put in your mill for paints & coatings
Matching DYNO®-MILL machines
KD and UBM production mills handle continuous coatings lines; ECM-AP suits higher-viscosity and finer work.
Other industries we serve
Milling for automotive finishes? Let's
get it right.
mill and the charge, with AU/NZ pricing.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best grinding media for paint?
For most paint and pigment dispersion in horizontal bead mills, Zircosil zirconium silicate beads offer the best balance of speed and cost. Zirconox zirconia beads are best for premium, pale and high-value colours where maximum throughput and minimum contamination matter; glass beads suit low-viscosity, economy grinds.
What bead size is used for paint and ink dispersion?
Typical paint and coatings grinds use 0.6–1.5 mm beads to reach 5–15 µm (Hegman 6–7+). Finer inks and tints use 0.3–0.8 mm beads; the smaller the bead, the finer the achievable particle size, provided the mill separator can retain it.
Why do ceramic beads prevent greying in white and pastel paints?
Steel media and fast-wearing beads shed particles into the batch that show up as grey or off-colour tints. Low-wear ceramic beads such as Zirconox and Zircosil add negligible wear debris, keeping whites, pastels and clean brights on colour.
Which bead mill suits paint production?
WAB DYNO®-MILL KD and UBM horizontal bead mills handle continuous coatings lines; the ECM-AP suits higher-viscosity and finer work; the Multi Lab covers lab development and trials.
Where can I buy grinding media for paint in Australia?
Klausen supplies Jyoti zirconia, zirconium silicate, alumina and glass grinding beads to paint and ink manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand. Email sales@kpm.com.au or call (02) 9672 3222 with your mill type, chamber volume, material and target fineness and we will recommend the grade, size and charge with Australia/New Zealand pricing.