Particle Shape Analysis for Powders

Can You Analyse the Particle Shape of Dry Powders?

A common question in particle characterisation is whether the shape of dry powder particles can be analysed effectively. Many dynamic image analysers require particles to be dispersed in a liquid, which has traditionally made the direct analysis of powders in their natural dry state more difficult.

The BeVision D3 Series provides a solution specifically developed for dry powders. Using advanced Dynamic Image Analysis (DIA), the fully automated instrument delivers rapid and accurate measurements of both particle size and morphology for research and quality control applications.

Seeing More of the Sample

Traditional sieve analysis separates particles according to size but provides very little information about particle shape. The BeVision D3 goes considerably further by combining an intelligent dry dispersion system with high-speed dynamic imaging.

Automatic funnel height adjustment, intelligent feed-rate control and optimised guide-slot spacing help produce consistent and repeatable particle dispersion. High-resolution images are then captured across a wide particle-size range.

A dual-camera arrangement provides comprehensive coverage in a single measurement. A wide-field camera is used for larger particles, while a high-magnification zoom camera captures finer particles. This allows particle size distribution and morphology to be assessed without sacrificing measurement speed or accuracy.

Understanding Particle Morphology

The analysis software can automatically identify and classify complex particle shapes, including rod-shaped, needle-shaped, near-spherical and irregular particles. This additional morphological information can be particularly valuable in plastics, additive manufacturing, agriculture, abrasives, petroleum catalysts, chemicals and advanced materials.

Once the measurement has been completed, the sample is recovered in the instrument's integrated collection tray.

Faster Analysis of Dry Powders

The BeVision D3 can provide complete particle size and shape results in approximately one to three minutes, compared with around 30 minutes for conventional sieve analysis. A built-in correlation tool also allows results to be compared directly with sieve data while providing the additional information available from high-resolution particle imaging and morphology analysis.

The software enables users to examine particle size distributions, shape distributions and population statistics, create customised reports and search an image gallery containing the analysed particles. This provides a much clearer understanding of what a powder sample actually contains, rather than simply establishing the size of its particles.

For more information on Particle Shape Analysis for Powders talk to Meritics Ltd