THORby CI
Technology · Overview

The science of
size reduction

From the physics of fracture to the fluid dynamics of jet milling — the theory behind size reduction, and how each of our five milling and classification technologies puts it to work

Mechanisms
4regimes
Fineness
mm → sub-µm
Foundations
Physics · Fluids
Sectors
Pharma · Pigments · Minerals
First principle — fracture

Energy in,
surface area out

Size reduction happens when the stress applied to a particle exceeds its ultimate strength — and it fractures Each new fracture multiplies surface area The mechanism you choose decides how that energy is delivered, and how fine you can go

Input
Mechanical / fluid energy
Output
New surface area
Foundations

The theory of particle size reduction

Comminution — reducing a solid from one average particle size to a smaller one — happens when the stress applied to a particle exceeds its ultimate strength, and it fractures Modern powder processing draws on applied physics, fluid dynamics and material science to do this with sub-micron precision; the mechanism is chosen by target fineness and the material itself

Four mechanisms

chosen by target fineness & material
Compression
Coarse · > 1 mm
Impact
50 µm – 5 mm
Attrition
20 – 200 µm
Fluid energy
2 – 30 µm

The comminution spectrum — where each mechanism operates, by particle size

5 mm
1 mm
200 µm
50 µm
2 µm
Impact
Attrition
Fluid energy
Coarse · CompressionSub-micron · Jet

Benefits of size reduction

  • Increased surface area for faster chemical reactions
  • Improved bioavailability in pharmaceuticals
  • Enhanced dispersion and colour strength in pigments
  • Consistent bulk density and flowability

Industrial applications

Mineral processingChemical synthesisActive pharmaceutical ingredientsAdvanced ceramics
Our technologies

How each technology works

Five milling and classification platforms — each built around a different physical principle Open any one to see how it reduces, refines or separates your material

01Mechanism · Impact + screen

Hammer Mill

Free-swinging hammers throw feed against a breaker plate; a perforated screen sets the discharge size — the most forgiving, versatile dry mill

200 µm – 5 mmHow it works
02Mechanism · Impact

Pin Mill

Intermeshing pin discs deliver high-frequency impact No screen, no media — fineness is tuned purely by rotor speed and airflow

50 – 300 µmHow it works
03Mechanism · Fluid energy

Jet Mill

High-velocity gas jets drive particle-on-particle collision in a spiral chamber — no moving grinding surface, minimal heat, true sub-micron cuts

2 – 30 µmHow it works
04Mechanism · Attrition

Ball Mill

A rotating drum charged with grinding media abrades and impacts the feed Patient, robust, and ideal for hard materials and fine cuts

20 – 200 µmHow it works
05Process · Classification

Air Classifier

Not a mill but a sorter — a spinning wheel and controlled airflow split powder by size, returning oversize and delivering a sharp, defined cut

Cut 2 – 150 µmHow it works

Have a material in mind?

Tell us the feed, the target size and the duty — we'll point you to the right technology

Discuss your materialSee all platforms