Microscopic and macroscopic compaction of cohesive powders

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method combining nanomanipulation, SEM observation, and simulations to study the compaction behavior of cohesive powders at microscopic and macroscopic scales.

Contribution

It presents a novel experimental approach for analyzing powder compaction, integrating real-time particle tracking with simulations and macroscopic tests.

Findings

Successful tracking of individual particle motion during compaction

Correlation between microscopic forces and macroscopic behavior

Validation of simulation parameters with colloidal probe data

Abstract

A novel method to investigate the compaction behaviour of cohesive powders is presented. As a sample, a highly porous agglomerate formed by random ballistic deposition (RBD) of micron sized spherical particles is used. A nanomanipulator deforms this small structure under scanning electron microscope observation, allowing for the tracking of individual particle motion. Defined forces are applied and the resulting deformations are measured. The hereby obtained results are compared to results from threedimensional discrete element simulations as well as macroscopic compaction experiments. Relevant simulation parameters are determined by colloidal probe measurements.