We offer solutions to meet your application requirements covering particle size measurement for both wet and dry samples. The control and understanding of particle size and size distribution are key in understanding both physical and chemical properties. Measuring particle size distributions and understanding how they affect your products and processes can be critical to the success of many manufacturing businesses. Our range of particle size analyzers uses different measuring principles and covers a size range from 0.3 nm to >3 mm. Particle size and size distribution have a direct influence on material properties such as:

Reaction rate:

For solids, the surface area of the particle is critical in determining the rate of the chemical reaction. Chemical reactions are far more likely to occur in fine particles than otherwise. A great example of an industry reliant on this principle is the cement industry, which must deliver the appropriate reaction rate to achieve a product with desired strength.

Dissolution rate:

By creating finer particles and therefore increasing surface area, the physical barriers to dissolution are reduced, making the process occur much more quickly. Finer particles are more likely to dissolve quicker. This is extremely important for the pharmaceutical industry as the speed of dissolution has direct effects on bioavailability and, therefore, the effectiveness of the drug.

Packing density:

The efficiency with which particles pack together is crucial to many industries. As a rule, large particles are going to pack more poorly than small particles. By decreasing the particle size, packing density is improved and void-age (unoccupied volume) is reduced. This is particularly important in the production of metals and ceramics through mold filling, as unoccupied volume can create a significantly flawed product.

Product Appearance:

The principle that particles scatter light in different ways depending on their size is exploited in the manufacture of paints, inks, toners and other surface coatings. These industries must achieve desirable light scattering effects to define parameters such as hue, tint, transparency, gloss and so forth.

Sedimentation:

Suspension “stability” is most easily achieved by avoidance of sedimentation (ie. the tendency of particles in suspension to settle out of the fluid). To ensure stability, the gravitational pull exerted on particles must be balanced with the “up-thrust” of the fluid. Unstable suspensions can wreak havoc in many industries where consistency is essential to product perception.

Texture:

The size of particles has a direct correlation with a customer’s perception of a product and, therefore, the reputation of a company. This is particularly true in the case of food products in which particle size can impact the enjoyment of the product. For example, coffee with which particle size affects the flavors released in the brewing process and chocolate the size affects the taste and mouthfeel.