Effect of Particle Shape on the Mixing of Powders

Abstract

Abstract Mixtures were prepared containing 200 g of 600 μm lactose and 0.5 g of 3 μm calcium carbonate of different particle shapes using a Y cone mixer. Measurements were made of the time required to achieve the acceptable standard deviation of mixing σA and of the segregation that occurred on subsequently vibrating the mixtures. The time taken to achieve σA increased with the irregularity of the particles of both components and the mixtures containing irregular particles segregated less on vibration.