China Alumina Beads for Adsorption, Catalyst Support, and Grinding Applications

Alumina beads are engineered ceramic spheres designed for adsorption, drying, support, and grinding applications, combining high mechanical strength with chemical durability for long-term industrial performance. Adcerax supplies them in standard sizes as well as fully customized options to fit different industrial requirements.

Catalog No. AT-YM-JY1009
Material 92–99.7% Al2O3
Crush strength ≥120 N/particle (size-dependent)
Bulk Density 0.75–1.2 g/cm³
Dimensions/Sizes Download PDF
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Alumina beads are small, precision-formed ceramic spheres made primarily from aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). They are engineered for industrial duties where mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance are essential—most commonly as adsorbents/dryers, catalyst carriers/support media, and grinding/polishing media.

 

Alumina Ceramic Beads Advantages

  • Optimized Sphericity & Uniform Size – Precisely controlled bead geometry ensures consistent packing density and predictable pressure drop in adsorption and catalytic reactors.
  • Low Attrition Rate – Engineered manufacturing minimizes dust generation, which reduces contamination in reactors and extends catalyst bed operating cycles.
  • Versatile Form Options – Available in multi-bore, inert, or activated designs, allowing engineers to match bead structures with specific gas/liquid flow requirements.
  • Enhanced Regeneration Performance – Activated alumina beads maintain adsorption capacity over multiple thermal regeneration cycles, reducing replacement frequency and operating costs.
  • Customizable Distribution & Bed Support – Beads can be supplied in graded size layers (small-to-large stacking) to improve flow uniformity and protect fragile catalysts from pressure surges.

 

Al2O3 Ceramic Beads Properties

Property Unit 99.7% Al₂O₃ 99.5% Al₂O₃ 99% Al₂O₃ 96% Al₂O₃
Color   Ivory White Ivory White Ivory White Ivory White
Density g/cm³ 3.94 3.9 3.83 3.6-3.75
Water Absorption % 0 0 0 0
Hardness Mohs Hardness 9.1 9 9 8.8
Flexural Strength (20°C) Mpa 330 320 300 260
Compressive Strength (20°C) Mpa 2300 2300 2210 1910
Maximum Operating Temperature °C 1730 1700 1680 1450
Thermal Expansion Coefficient(25°C to 800°C) 10⁻⁶/°C 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6
Thermal Conductivity (25°C) W/(m·K) 29 27 24 22
Dielectric Strength (5mm thickness) AC-kv/mm 22 21 19 15
Dielectric Loss at 25°C@1MHz --- < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0.0003 0.0004
Dielectric Constant at 25°C@1MHz --- 9.8 9.7 9.5 9.2
Volume Resistivity (20°C) Ω·cm³ >10¹⁴ >10¹⁴ >10¹⁴ >10¹⁴
Volume Resistivity (300°C) Ω·cm³ 2*10¹² 2*10¹² 4*10¹¹ 2*10¹¹

 

Alumina Beads Specifications

size for beads

Type 1: Activated alumina beads

3-5 mm activated alumina beads for natural gas dehydration

*More sizes and specifications about Activated alumina beads click here

 

Type 2: Inert alumina (support) beads

Full view of high purity alumina balls in bulk

*More sizes and specifications about Inert alumina (support) beads click here

 

Type 3: wear resistant alumina grinding beads

Alumina Grinding Balls being used in pigment milling process

*More sizes and specifications about wear resistant alumina grinding beads click here

 

Type 4: alumina ceramic multi bores beads

Multi-Bore Alumina Support Bead 5-Hole

*More sizes and specifications about alumina ceramic multi bores beads click here

Type 5: insulator alumina beads

two-hole alumina insulating beads for high-temperature wiring

*More sizes and specifications about insulator alumina beads click here

 

Alumina Ceramic Bead Packaging

  • High alumina beads are packaged in 25 kg heavy-duty plastic bags, which are then placed inside 1-ton jumbo bags with inner waterproof liners. The jumbo bags are palletized and shrink-wrapped for secure, moisture-free international transport.

High Alumina Ball Packaging

 

Alumina & Al2O3 Ceramic Beads Applications

  • Petrochemical Industry

    ✅Key Advantages

    1. Moisture Control Efficiency – Alumina beads achieve up to 17–20% water adsorption capacity, ensuring stable feedstock quality in petrochemical drying systems.
    2. Mechanical Reliability – Crush strength ≥120 N/particle reduces bed attrition and minimizes catalyst contamination risks.
    3. Extended Service Cycles – Regenerable over 200+ cycles without significant loss in adsorption performance.

    ✅ Problem Solved

    A U.S. refinery improved PSA drying tower efficiency by 12% after switching to high-strength alumina beads. The upgrade reduced unscheduled shutdowns, avoided two weeks of annual downtime, and saved over USD 150,000 in maintenance and energy costs by lowering regeneration frequency.

  • Gas Separation Industrial: Gas Separation

    ✅Key Advantages

    1. Stable PSA/TSA Performance – Alumina beads maintain adsorption capacity within ±3% variance over 12 months, securing consistent nitrogen purity levels.
    2. Bed Integrity Assurance – Sphericity ≥95% and uniform bead size distribution prevent channeling and ensure predictable pressure drop.
    3. Energy-Efficient Regeneration – Lower desorption heat demand cuts energy consumption by 8–10% per cycle.

    ✅ Problem Solved

    A Korean nitrogen plant reported 15% longer adsorption cycles after adopting customized activated alumina beads. The improvement reduced regeneration frequency, lowered electricity use by USD 30,000 annually, and improved nitrogen output stability without requiring equipment modifications.

  • Machining Industry : Grinding & Polishing

    ✅Key Advantages

    1. High Milling Efficiency – Alumina grinding beads deliver a hardness of ~9 Mohs, enabling fast particle size reduction for ceramics and metals.
    2. Low Contamination Risk – Controlled impurity levels (<0.1% SiO₂/Fe₂O₃) minimize cross-contamination in precision material processing.
    3. Extended Media Life – Wear rate reduced by 20–30% compared with conventional silica grinding media.

    ✅ Problem Solved

    A Korean nitrogen plant reported 15% longer adsorption cycles after adopting customized activated alumina beads. The improvement reduced regeneration frequency, lowered electricity use by USD 30,000 annually, and improved nitrogen output stability without requiring equipment modifications.

Alumina Beads Usage Instructions

  • Installation

    1. Load beads slowly into columns to avoid mechanical shock and breakage.
    2. Use graded layers (small-to-large beads) where applicable to ensure uniform flow distribution.
    3. Check for dust before installation and rinse with clean air or inert gas if necessary.

  • Operation

    1. Keep the system within recommended temperature (≤1,700 °C depending on grade) and pressure limits.
    2. Avoid sudden pressure surges to prevent bed cracking or uneven flow paths.
    3. For adsorption processes, monitor cycle time and breakthrough curves to determine replacement or regeneration intervals.

  • Storage

    1. Store in a dry, ventilated warehouse away from direct sunlight and moisture.
    2. Use sealed packaging for activated alumina beads to maintain adsorption capacity.
    3. Avoid stacking more than recommended height to prevent bead deformation or cracking.

  • Cleaning & Regeneration

    1. For activated alumina beads, regenerate at 350–600 °C with controlled heating and cooling rates.
    2. Ensure regeneration gases (air, nitrogen, or other specified media) are clean and moisture-free.
    3. Record regeneration cycles; performance generally remains stable for 200–300 cycles depending on process conditions.

  • Common Misuse & Remedies

    1. Rapid cooling after regeneration – May cause thermal shock and reduce bead strength. Remedy: Apply controlled cooling with a gradual temperature drop.
    2. Operating outside pressure range – Can result in bead fracture. Remedy: Keep the system within rated design limits.
    3. Mixing different bead sizes or grades randomly – Leads to uneven flow and reduced efficiency. Remedy: Follow the supplier’s recommended packing method.
    4. Prolonged exposure to liquid water during storage – Causes loss of adsorption performance. Remedy: Store beads in sealed and dry conditions.

Alumina(Al2O3 ) Ceramic Beads FAQ

  1. Q: Can alumina beads be reused?
    A: Yes, alumina ceramic beads—especially activated types—can be reused through proper thermal regeneration. When heated at 350–600 °C under controlled conditions, their adsorption capacity can be restored for multiple cycles. Depending on process conditions, activated alumina beads typically remain effective for 200–300 regeneration cycles before noticeable performance decline. Inert support beads and grinding beads can also be reused as long as mechanical strength is maintained and surface contamination is minimized.
  2. Q: How are alumina beads processed?
    A: The process includes raw material preparation, spray granulation into spheres, pre-sintering at 800–1,000 °C, and final sintering at 1,500–1,700 °C. Activated alumina beads undergo special thermal treatment to maintain high surface area and porosity.
  3. Q: What purity levels are available?
    A: Standard grades include 92%, 95%, and 99% Al₂O₃, with higher purity grades available for specialized applications such as semiconductor and electronic materials.
  4. Q: What sizes do you sales China alumina ceramic beads?
    A: We sales China alumina ceramic beads in a wide range of standard sizes, typically from 1 mm to 50 mm in diameter. Common stock options include 3 mm, 6 mm, 10 mm, 13 mm, 19 mm, and 25 mm. For special projects, Adcerax also provides customized bead sizes with tolerance control (±0.2 mm) to fit specific adsorption, catalyst support, or grinding applications.

  5. Q: Can I get a pricelist for alumina beads?
    A: Yes, a pricelist can be provided upon request. The cost of alumina beads depends on several factors such as purity grade (92%, 95%, 99%), bead diameter (1–50 mm), order volume, and whether you require standard stock or customized specifications. For bulk or long-term supply, discounted pricing is also available. Please contact Adcerax with your specific requirements to receive a detailed quotation and the latest pricelist.
  6. Q: Where can I buy China wear resistant alumina ceramic beads?
    A: Adcerax supplies fair price wear resistant alumina ceramic beads directly from our China factory. We offer both standard dimensions and customized designs, ensuring high hardness, low wear rate, and long service life for grinding and industrial use. Customers worldwide can benefit from bulk supply, stable delivery, and factory-direct pricing.

What Our Customers Say about Alumina Beads

  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    We customize alumina beads in different diameters from ADCERAX factory for catalyst support. The batch-to-batch consistency and secure packaging gave us confidence for long-term cooperation
    -- Thomas Müller, Senior Buyer, Linde Engineering Germany
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    ADCERAX manufacturer supplies China alumina ceramic beads matched our specifications exactly, with consistent size distribution that ensured uniform flow in our gas drying towers.
    -- Carlos Hernández, Technical Director, Repsol Spain
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    We use high-purity alumina beads as grinding media for advanced ceramics. The wear rate was low, and polishing efficiency increased by almost 20% compared to silica media
    -- Kenji Sato, R&D Manager, Kyocera Japan
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    We wholesale alumina beads from Adcerax supplier into our water treatment line, and their high adsorption capacity for fluoride removal significantly improved compliance with drinking water standards.
    -- Laura Mitchell, Project Manager, SUEZ Environment UK
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Customized Alumina Ceramic Beads

Adcerax supplies China alumina ceramic beads in both standard sizes and custom-made options, which you can specify:

  • Diameter range: 1–50 mm, with tolerance up to ±0.2 mm. Small beads are often chosen for high surface area in adsorption systems, while larger beads provide structural support in catalyst beds or reactor layers.
  • Purity grade: Available in 92%, 95%, and 99% Al₂O₃. Lower grades are cost-effective for bulk support use, while high-purity grades are suitable for sensitive chemical or electronic applications.
  • Surface finish: Raw, polished, or sandblasted. A polished surface reduces dust generation for grinding and polishing applications, while a raw finish is preferred for adsorption efficiency.
  • Shape options: Standard spheres, multi-bore beads, or tailored geometries. Multi-bore structures improve flow distribution, while customized shapes can match unique reactor or equipment designs.

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