Softer minerals (having Mohs hardness up to about 5) are suitable for wet or dry grinding in the Szego Mill. Harder minerals such as quartz may be ground, but wear on the grinding surfaces is high. Efficient size reduction for talc, mica, limestone, and quartz has been demonstrated in pilot mill work with the Szego Mill.
Mica Grinding
Mica flakes are used to increase strength in composite materials such as reinforced plastics. Wet grinding of mica in the Szego Mill produces flakes with diameter to thickness ratios of 6 to 20; in comparison, ratios for dry grinding are 4 to 10.
Micrograph of 44 x 63 µm particles of mica ground wet in the Szego Mill