Powder particle characteristics

Powder particle characteristics can be controlled by controlling the various parameters of the spray-drying process—the droplet size solution... 

The characteristics of a powder that determine its apparent density are rather complex, but some general statements with respect to powder variables and their effect on the density of the loose powder can be made. (/) The smaller the particles, the greater the specific surface area of the powder. This increases the friction between the particles and lowers the apparent density but enhances the rate of sintering. (2) Powders having very irregular-shaped particles are usually characterized by a lower apparent density than more regular or spherical ones. This is shown in Table 4 for three different types of copper powders having identical particle size distribution but different particle shape. These data illustrate the decisive influence of particle shape on apparent density. (J) In any mixture of coarse and fine powder particles, an optimum mixture results in maximum apparent density. This optimum mixture is reached when the fine particles fill the voids between the coarse particles. 

Inasmuch as friction conditions determine the flow characteristics of a powder, coarser powder particles of spherical shape flow fastest and powder particles of identical diameter but irregular shape flow more slowly. Finer particles may start to flow, but stop after a short time. Tapping is needed in order to start the flow again. Very fine powders (fine powder particles to coarser ones may increase the apparent density, but usually decreases the flow quality. Metal powders having a thin oxide film may flow well. When the oxide film is removed and the friction between the particles therefore increases, these powders may flow poorly. 

Fig. 1.2.12 Relation between concentration and particle characteristics. (From T. Ogihara et al., J Soc Powder Technol Jpn 31, 620 (1994). Courtesy of H. Masuda, The Society of Powder Technology, Kyoto, Japan.)...

On calcination of this prepared powder, particles having the composition ZrY(, k03.2 were obtained. The electrokinetic measurements with aqueous dispersions of the latter showed an isoelectric point at pH 6.8, characteristic of Y203. This example further substantiates the inhomogeneity within the particles, but also indicates that heating, as carried out in this case, did not produce internal uniformity. 

Gereg and Capolla developed process parameters determined by a model laboratory bench scale Carver press, model C (Carver Inc. Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A.), which were translated to production scale compactor parameters (6). Their study provided a method to predict whether a material is suitable for roller compaction. Their study objectives were to characterize properties of the material to identify process parameters suitable to achieve the necessary particle size and density using the dry granulation process and then translate laboratory information to a production scale roller compactor. Actually, information developed from a Carver press was correlated and scaled-up to a production scale Fitzpatrick roller compactor. Model IR 520 (Fitzpatrick Co., Elmhurst, Illinois, U.S.A.) The compactor produced very similar powder granule characteristics as the Carver press. Various lactose materials, available as lactose monohydrate or spray dried lactose monohydrate, were used as the model compounds. Results indicated that a parametric correlation could be made between the laboratory bench Carver press and the production scale compactor, and that many process parameters can be transferred directly. 

Pulmonary deposition efficiency depends on physicochemical characteristics, such as density of the aerosol or dry powder particles [33-35], Generally, particle diameters less than than 5 pm are required for efficient pulmonary delivery [36, 37], Pulmonary deposition also depends on the nature of the delivery device and differs between metered dose inhalers (MDIs). For example, pulmonary deposition expressed as the ratio of pulmonary versus total (pulmonary + oral) absorbed drug, ranged from 15-55% for a number of salbutamol devices and from 66-85% for drugs with lower oral bioavailabilities such as budesonide. 

Some of the operating variables are characteristic of the equipment (i.c., pressure, rhythm, and frequency of vibration to accelerate the flow of powder into the die), while others depend on the charge and, for a given powder, on the granulometry, the kind and concentration of binders, and the lubricants. The ratio of the diameter of the powder particles to that of the final granules should fall between 1/20 and 1/50. 

Geldart (1972, 1973) classified powders with respect to their fluidizing characteristics into four groups, as already mentioned in Section I.E, which are summarized in Table V in terms of typical particle size, particle characteristics, fluidizing behavior, and bubble characteristics. 

Considering a mass of ceramic powder about to be molded or pressed into shape, the forces necessary and the speeds possible are determined by mechanical properties of the diy powder, paste, or suspension. For any material, the elastic moduli for tension (Young s modulus), shear, and bulk compression are the mechanical properties of interest. These mechanical properties are schematically shown in Figure 12.1 with their defining equations. These moduli are mechanical characteristics of elastic materials in general and are applicable at relatively low applied forces for ceramic powders. At higher applied forces, nonlinear behavior results, comprising the flow of the ceramic powder particles over one another, plastic deformation of the particles, and rupture of... 

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