Abstract: The invention relates to beads used for crushing or dispersion which are formed by fusion, conversion into beads and solidification of an appropriate batch consisting essentially, on the oxide basis, of up to 85% by weight of ZrO.sub.2, a proportion of SiO.sub.2 such that the weight ratio ZrO.sub.2 /SiO.sub.2 is greater than or equal to 1.5, an optional proportion of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 such that the weight ratio Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /SiO.sub.2 is 0 to 1.5 and an optional proportion of Na.sub.2 O such that the weight ratio Na.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2 is from 0 to 0.04, the batch also containing at least one of the additional oxides of MgO and CaO in proportions such that the weight ratio MgO/SiO.sub.2 is from 0.03 to 1 and the ratio CaO/SiO.sub.2 is from 0.03 to 1.45.