Effect of coal on the corrosive wear of grinding media

This study investigates the effects of coal on the corrosive wear of grinding media, particularly in fine grinding applications that are increasingly required for coal processing. The objective is to understand the corrosion mechanisms involved when mild steel balls interact with coal in various environments. Marked ball wear tests were conducted, focusing on factors such as oxygen levels, pH, and the presence of soluble species and pyrrhotite, to quantify their contributions to the corrosion of grinding media. The results showed that the combination of coal and oxygen significantly accelerated the corrosion process, leading to enhanced wear of the steel balls. Electrochemical measurements were also performed on mild steel electrodes immersed in coal slurries, alongside scanning electron microscopy observations of ball surfaces to explore wear mechanisms in detail. These findings provide insights into how corrosion impacts ball wear in grinding processes, which has important implications for operational efficiency and cost reduction in coal cleaning activities.