Powder particle size distribution

Fig. 2.3 (a) Scanning electron micrograph of the morphology of as-received Tego Magnan MgH powder and (b) powder particle size distribution (equivalent circle diameter, ECD)... 

PIGMENTS DYE STUFF 5, SKIM MILK POWDER PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SOME SPRAY DRIED POWDERS... 

Powder particle size distribution is normally measured using laser light diffraction spectrophotometry (see Section 22.2.11.2). The mechanical stability of agglomerated particles can be determined by using this technique to measure the fines created by subjecting the sample to a defined mechanical treatment. 

Powder particle size distribution Sieve load... 

Mangels [116,117] has made use of the reduced viscosity of wide size distribution powders to produce injection molding blends of high powder loading (73.5 vol%). Working with silicon powder, particle size distributions were obtained [116] by dry ball milling and air classifying, and it was subsequently shown that a 140 h dry ball-milled powder with the broadest particle size distribution yielded the best viscosity in... 

Figure 15.5 Typical powder particle size distribution.

Obtained by applying the Westman and Hugill modified algorithm to the powder particle size distribution (from Ref. 12). 

A fundamental requirement in powder processing is characterization of the as-received powders (10—12). Many powder suppHers provide information on tap and pour densities, particle size distributions, specific surface areas, and chemical analyses. Characterization data provided by suppHers should be checked and further augmented where possible with in-house characterization. Uniaxial characterization compaction behavior, in particular, is easily measured and provides data on the nature of the agglomerates in a powder (13,14). 

Particle size distribution is usually plotted on a log-probabiHty scale, which allows for quick evaluation of statistical parameters. Many naturally occurring and synthetic powders foUow a normal distribution, which gives a straight line when the log of the diameter is plotted against the percent occurrence. However, bimodal or other nonnormal distributions are also encountered in practice. 

Particle Size Distribution. For many P/M processes, the average particle size is not necessarily a decisive factor, whereas the distribution of the particles of various sizes ia the powder mass is. The distribution curve can be irregular, show a rather regular distribution with one maximum, have more than one maximum, or be perfecdy uniform. 

Apparent Density. This term refers to the weight of a unit volume of loose powder, usually expressed in g/cm (l )- The apparent density of a powder depends on the friction conditions between the powder particles, which are a function of the relative surface area of the particles and the surface conditions. It depends, furthermore, on the packing arrangement of the particles, which depends on the particle size, but mainly on particle size distribution and the shape of the particles. 

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. 

The most commonly measured pigment properties ate elemental analysis, impurity content, crystal stmcture, particle size and shape, particle size distribution, density, and surface area. These parameters are measured so that pigments producers can better control production, and set up meaningful physical and chemical pigments specifications. Measurements of these properties ate not specific only to pigments. The techniques appHed are commonly used to characterize powders and soHd materials and the measutiag methods have been standardized ia various iadustries. 

Another technique is to change the particle size distribution. There are, however, disadvantages. If segregation is occurring by the sifting mechanism, the particles must be almost identical in size before sifting is prevented. Alternatively, the mean particle size can be reduced below 100 p.m, but this size reduction (qv) increases the probabiUty of segregation by the too fine powder mechanisms. 

In many chemical processes the catalyst particle size is important. The smaller the aluminum chloride particles, the faster it dissolves in reaction solvents. Particle-size distribution is controlled in the manufacturer s screening process. Typical properties of a commercial powder are shown in Table 2. 

Any refractory material that does not decompose or vaporize can be used for melt spraying. Particles do not coalesce within the spray. The temperature of the particles and the extent to which they melt depend on the flame temperature, which can be controlled by the fueLoxidizer ratio or electrical input, gas flow rate, residence time of the particle in the heat zone, the particle-size distribution of the powders, and the melting point and thermal conductivity of the particle. Quenching rates are very high, and the time required for the molten particle to soHdify after impingement is typically to... 

Rhovanil Extra Pure is the standard mesh, multipurpose quaUty of food-grade extra pure vanillin. Its broad particle-size distribution shows a versatile granulometry, compatible with a wide range of granulometric profiles from any other ingredients, and allows a homogeneous powder mixabiUty, even at low content in a given blend. 

Zinc dust is smaller in particle size and spherical in shape, whereas zinc powder is coarser in size and irregular in shape. The particle size of zinc dust, important in some appHcations, is controUed by adjusting the rate of condensation. Rapid cooling produces fine dust, slower condensation coarse dust. In the case of zinc powder, changes in the atomization parameters can be employed to change particle size to some degree. The particle size distributions for commercial zinc powders range from 44 to 841 p.m (325—20 mesh). The purity of zinc powders is 98—99.6%. 

In addition to surface area, pore size distribution, and surface chemistry, other important properties of commercial activated carbon products include pore volume, particle size distribution, apparent or bulk density, particle density, abrasion resistance, hardness, and ash content. The range of these and other properties is illustrated in Table 1 together with specific values for selected commercial grades of powdered, granular, and shaped activated carbon products used in Hquid- or gas-phase appHcations (19). 

Glassification. Classification (2,12,26,28) or elutriation processes separate particles by the differences in how they settle in a Hquid or moving gas stream. Classification can be used to eliminate fine or coarse particles, or to produce a narrow particle size distribution powder. Classification by sedimentation iavolves particle settling in a Hquid for a predetermined time to achieve the desired particle size and size distribution or cut. Below - 10 fim, where interparticle forces can be significant, gravitational-induced separation becomes inefficient, and cyclone and centrifugation techniques must be used. Classification also separates particles by density and shape. Raw material separation by differential sedimentation is commonly used in mineral processiag. 

Stricter control of particle size distribution improves powder handling (qv) and transport through the system, and appHcation efficiency. It also reduces blinding of the final filter (69). Additives have been developed which improve the triboelectric charging characteristics (70). 

There are many techniques available for measuring the particle-size distribution of powders. The wide size range covered, from nanometers to millimeters, cannot be analyzed using a single measurement principle. Added to this are the usual constraints of capital costs versus running costs, speed of operation, degree of skill required, and, most important, the end-use requirement. 

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