The Importance of Particle Size and Particle Size

Distribution
The particle size and particle size distribution (PSD) of these materials are of
great importance to the end user because they affect key colloid properties
such as rheology, film gloss, surface area and packing density.

Particle size analysis, particle size measurement, or simply particle sizing is

the collective name of the technical procedures, or laboratory techniques
which determines the size range, and/or the average, or mean size of the
particles in a powder or liquid sample.

1. RATE OF REACTIONS

When it comes to solids, the surface area of the particle is critical in

determining the rate of 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 in order to achieve the desired product.

2. POTENTIAL TO DISSOLVE

The effect of particle size on dissolution rate is similar to the influence of

particle size on the reaction rate. By creating finer particles and therefore
increasing surface area, the physical barriers to dissolution are weakened,
making the process occur much more quickly. Put simply, finer particles are
more likely to dissolve quicker. The pharmaceutical industry knows the
importance of this, as the speed of dissolution has direct effects on
bioavailability and, therefore, the effectiveness of any given drug.

3. PACKING DENSITY

The efficiency with which particles pack together is crucial to many

industries as well. As a rule, large particles are going to pack more poorly
than small particles. By decreasing the particle size, packing density is
improved and voidage (unoccupied volume) is reduced. This is particularly
important in production of metals through mould filling, as unoccupied
volume can create a significantly flawed product.

4. SEDIMENTATION

Suspension “stability” is most easily achieved buy avoidance of

sedimentation (ie. the tendency of particles in suspension to settle out of
the fluid). In order 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 the food industry, for example, where
consistency is essential to product perception.

5. EFFECTIVENESS OF DRUG DELIVERY BY INHALATION

In order to maintain the integrity of air supply in the body, our respiratory
systems are incredibly efficient at filtering out particles above a certain size.
This stops these particles from entering and damaging the lungs. Orally or
nasally inhaled drug manufacturers must ensure the product is capable of
penetrating the lungs; conversely, cleaning product manufacturers may
need to provide extra controls in order to prevent inhalation if particles are
of a dangerous size.

6. PRODUCT APPEARANCE

The principle behind the particle size analysis technique of laser diffraction
is that particles will scatter light in different ways depending on their size. In
some industries, however, this principle is important not just for analysis
but also for end product — paint manufacturers, for example, must achieve
desirable light scattering effects in order to define parameters such as hue,
tint, transparency, gloss and so forth.

7. TEXTURE

Overall, the size of particles can have direct correlation with a customer’s
perception of a product and, therefore, the reputation of a manufacturing
company. This is particularly true in the case of food products in which
particle size can impact the enjoyment of the product; take coffee, for
example, with which particle size affects the flavours released in the
brewing process.

Sieve Analysis

Sieve analysis is used to obtain the particle size distribution of a solid

material by determining the amount of powder retained on a series of
sieves with different sized apertures.

A sample is added to the top of a nest of sieves arranged in decreasing size

from top to bottom. As the sieves are vibrated, the sample is segregated
onto the different sized sieves. The weight of sample retained on each sieve
is then used to determine the particle size distribution as well as the mean
diameter of the sample.

Aim:
To determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within the
given powder sample.

Standard Reference:

ASTM D 422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils.

Equipment :

Balance, Set of sieves, Cleaning brush, Sieve shake

Procedure:
For coarse and moderately coarse powders:

Place 25 to 100g of the powder under examination upon the appropriate

sieve having a close-fitting receiving pan and cover. Shake the sieve in a
rotary horizontal direction and vertically by tapping on a hard surface for
not less 20minutes or until sifting is practically complete.

Weigh accurately the amount remaining on the sieve and in the receiving
pan.
For fine and very fine powders:

Proceed as described under Coarse and moderately coarse powders except

that

a. the test sample should not exceed 25g,

b. the sieve is to be shaken for not less than 30 minutes or until sifting is
practically compelte &

c. the particles passing through a sieve of nominal mesh aperture of 45

micron are determined by suitable microscopic examination.

For microfine and superfine powders:

Proceed as described under Fine and Very fine powders except that the
particles passing through a sieve of nominal mesh aperture of 45 jmicron
(for fine powders) or those less than 10micron in size are determined by
suitable microscopic examination. With oily and other powders which tend
to clog the openings, carefully brush the screen at intervals during sifting.
Break up any lump that may form.

A mechanical sieve shaker which reproduces the circular and tapping

motion given to sieves in hand sifting but has a uniform mechanical action
may be employed.

Fineness of the Powder:

Fineness of the powder may be expressed as a percentage w/w passing the
sieves(s) used or in the following descriptive terms.

The following terms are used in the description of powders.

Coarse Powder

A powder all the particles of which pass through a sieve with a nominal
mesh aperture of 1700 micron and not more than 40% by weight through a
sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 355 micron.
To convert any value in microns to centimeters, just multiply the value in
microns by the conversion factor 0.0001. So, 1700 microns times 0.0001 is
equal to 0.17 centimeters (1.7mm).

Aperture (W) Space between adjacent parallel wires

Wire diameter (d) Diameter of wire before weaving

Mesh Count (n) Number of aperture per lineal inch measured

from the center of one wire to a paoint 1 inch distant

Pitch (p) Distance between the centers of two adjacent

wires i.e. w + d

Warp Wires running lengthwise in the cloth as woven

Weft Wires running crosswire in the cloth as woven

Open area The fractional open surface area of the wire cloth in
follow direction. (applicable for square meshes only)

Porosity The fractional void volume of the mesh

Wire Diameter: Wire diameter is always checked with a micrometer caliper

as shown. Diameters of wires in both directions should be checked.

Mesh Account: Mesh account means how many holes per inch (25.4mm).
0.25 mesh - 30mesh can be checked with small ruler if you don't have
technical tools. 30 mesh - 500mesh and all Dutch weave mesh need
technical tools.

Moderately Coarse powder :

A powder all the particles of which pass through a sieve with nominal mesh
aperture of 710 micron and not more than 40% by weight through a sieve
with a nominal mesh aperture of 180micron.

Fine Powder :
A powder all the particles of which pass through a sieve with nominal mesh
aperture of 180 micron and not more than 40% by weight pass through a
sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 125 micron.

Very Fine powder:

A powder all the particles of which pass through a sieve with a nominal
mesh aperture of 125 micron and not more than 40% by weight pass
througha sieve with animinal mesh aperture of 45 micron.

Microfine powder :

A powder of which not less than 90% by weight of the particles pass
through a sieve with a nominal mesh aperture of 45micron.

Superfine powder :

A powder of which not less than 90% by number of the particles are less
than 10 micron size.

When the fineness of the powder is described by means of a number, it is

intended that all the particles of the powder shall pass through a sieve of
which the nominal mesh aperture, in micron, is equal to that number.

Determination of the Fineness of Powdered Vegetable and Animal Drugs -

Ref.: USP 811

In determining the powder fineness of a vegetable or animal drug, no

portion of the drug may be rejected during milling or sifting unless
specifically permitted in the individual monograph.

Classification of Powder Fineness:

Powder fineness may be classified by determinign the smallest sieve

openeing through which a specified quantity of material passes. Results are
typically reported as the following:

d90 = smallest sieve opening through which 90% or more of the material
passes.
d50 = smallest sieve opening through which 50% or more of the material
passes.

d10 = smallest sieve opening through which 10% or more of the material
passes.

The upper and lower limit of the sieve opening values may be reported
when results of two or more test lots are combined e.g., "Lot A has a d 50
value of 1000 micrometers with a range of 850 - 1180 micro meter."

An alternative but less informative method of classifying powder fineness is

by use of the terms in the following table.

Classification of Powder d50 Sieve Opening (micro meters)

Very coarse > 1000

Coarse 355 - 1000

Moderately fine 180 - 355

Fine 125 - 180

Very Fine 90 - 125