impactor v s hammer mill

The Impactor and Hammer Mill are both size-reduction machines used in crushing and grinding applications, but they operate differently and are suited for distinct purposes. Here’s a comparison:

1. Working Principle
– Impactor (Impact Crusher)
– Uses high-speed impact force to break materials.
– Material is fed into a rotor with blow bars or hammers that throw it against stationary impact plates (anvils).
– Relies on impact and attrition for size reduction.

– Hammer Mill
– Uses rotating hammers to strike and shatter material against a screen or breaker plate.
– Operates via impact, shear, and attrition.
– Typically has a grinding chamber with a perforated screen to control particle size.

impactor v s hammer mill 2. Applications
– Impactor (Impact Crusher)
– Best for medium-hard to hard materials (e.g., limestone, concrete, asphalt).
– Used in primary, secondary, or tertiary crushing stages.
– Produces more cubical-shaped particles (good for aggregates).

– Hammer Mill
– Better for softer to medium-hard materials (e.g., grains, wood, biomass).
– Commonly used in agriculture, food processing, and recycling.
– Produces finer, irregularly shaped particles.

3. Particle Size Control
– Impactor: Adjustable by changing rotor speed or adjusting the gap between blow bars and impact plates.
– Hammer Mill: Controlled by screen size—smaller holes produce finer particles.

4. Wear & Maintenance
– Impactor: Higher wear on blow bars and impact plates due to direct high-speed collisions.
– Hammer Mill: Hammers wear out faster when processing abrasive materials; screens may clog.

5. Energy Efficiency
– Impactors are generally more energy-efficient for hard materials due to direct impact crushing.
– Hammer mills may consume more power when grinding very fine particles.

6. Output Shape & Size
– Impactor: More uniform, cubical product (better for construction aggregates).
– Hammer Mill: Finer but less uniform output (better for powders or fibrous materials).

impactor v s hammer mill Summary Table