PT-R puts powder to the test

The Hosokawa powder characteristics tester, PT-R, provides seven mechanical and three supporting measurements within a single unit, to provide numerical evaluation of the characteristics of bulk powders.

It ensures trouble-free handling and processing by determining the powder's flowability and floodability at the transition points when transferred from static to dynamic state.

• The 'angle of response' measurement characterises the flowability of a material. An acute angle indicates poor flowability, while an obtuse angle indicates very good flow properties.

•Compressibility testing indicates the difference between the aerated and packed density of a material, with low compressibility indicating good flow.

•Cohesiveness is critical to the design of feeders, hoppers and other powder handling equipment.

•The angle of fall is determined by applying vibration, which alters the angle of gradient of the cone or heap of material.

•Dispersibility indicates the fugacity, dusting and flushing characteristics of the powder.

•The angle of difference is the difference between the angle of repose and the angle of fall.

Supporting measurements included are: aerated bulk density, packed bulk density, and uniformity.