Refining Powder-Testing Practices

A rigorous and structured approach to determining the potential value of powder testing techniques in solids-handling applications can improve powder characterization and processing Many chemical process industries (CPI) sectors face growing pressure to measure and control powder properties more effectively, either to improve manufacturing efficiency — from raw material selection, through processing to quality control — or to gain a competitive edge via superior product performance. At the same time, there is growing pressure to streamline the analytical processes that are used to drive progress. Identifying the most informative techniques for powder testing and measurement is becoming increasingly critical, whether to help develop innovative technology or to simply remain competitive in given markets. This article considers commercial drivers for adopting or reviewing powder testing techniques with the aim of identifying optimal solutions from a growing range of test options. Experimental studies compare the performance of different techniques in applications from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The results illustrate the benefit of a rigorous and structured approach to deciding which powder properties to measure,…