Rheology of liquids in the context of powder mixing
Wetting processes are particularly challenging when the liquid is highly viscous and the powder has very small particles.
In this blog post, we will examine a key aspect of powder moistening: the influence of the rheological properties of different liquids on the mixing result. Rheology largely determines how a liquid flows, how it behaves under shear stress, and how well it can wet powder particles. These relationships have a direct impact on the appearance of the wetted powder – on its flowability, the homogeneity of the mixture, its tendency to agglomerate, and the preservation of the original particle shape and size.
In order to wet powder homogeneously, all particles must receive a comparable layer of liquid that corresponds to their specific surface area. The aim of the mixing process is therefore to distribute both small and large quantities of liquid evenly over the enormous total contact surface of the powder. After the mixing process, there should be no areas of over-moistening or dryness. The achievable product quality is largely determined by the interaction of defined droplet size, precise dosing strategy and adapted mixing energy. In this context, it is advantageous to have a good understanding of the chemical and physical properties of the wetting liquid.
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