Abstract: To address the inefficiency of traditional spherical grinding media in achieving selective mineral liberation and
to meet the escalating demands for grinding processes in processing low-grade,fine-grained,and complex ores,this study conducted
a systematic comparative investigation on steel balls,steel tetrahedral,and ceramic balls,focusing on their capture performance,
ground product size distribution,and mill operational indicators. The results demonstrate that the steel tetrahedral
media significantly outperforms its counterparts. Its average capture area was increased by 25. 08% to 80. 38% compared to
steel balls and ceramic balls. The grinding products obtained with steel tetrahedral exhibited the highest b value (2. 799 55) in
the Rosin-Rammler size distribution model,indicating the most concentrated size distribution and superior uniformity. Furthermore,
it increased the yield of the easily-separable size fraction (from 0. 15 to 0. 019 mm) to 68. 36%. Consequently,the
mill′s utilization coefficient for -200 mesh,technical efficiency,and grinding efficiency reached 0. 243 3 t/ (m3·h),80. 01%,
and 0. 006 0 t/ (kW·h),respectively,all of which were significantly superior to those achieved with the other media. This research
confirms the comprehensive advantages of steel tetrahedral media in enhancing grinding efficiency,optimizing product
size distribution,and reducing energy consumption,providing crucial theoretical support and practical guidance for developing
and applying new high-efficiency grinding media.

Key words: steel tetrahedral,steel ball,ceramic ball,capture area,size characteristic,grinding efficiency