SUBJECT

Technical Brief

Technical Briefs provide concise, practical explanations of focused powder and particle technology questions. Each brief addresses a specific mechanism, measurement issue, processing challenge, or interpretation problem, giving engineers, researchers, and QA/QC professionals a clear technical takeaway without the depth of a full feature article.

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Explore PTI articles, Insights, Know How, and technical publications related to this subject.

  • Laser diffraction illustration showing identical scattering data producing different particle size distributions, with a greater shift in D10 than D50 after changing optical settings.
    16 October 2026

    Refractive Index in Laser Diffraction: D10 vs D50

    Laser diffraction calculates particle size from measured scattering using an optical model [...]

  • Comparison of powder beds before and after milling, showing how fines narrow pore throats and restrict airflow through connected voids.
    15 October 2026

    Why Can Permeability Fall After Milling?

    Milling can reduce powder-bed permeability even when the material meets its [...]

  • Microscopic comparison of powder particles showing low silica coverage, effective surface coverage, and excessive silica agglomeration that can worsen powder flow.
    14 October 2026

    Why Does Too Much Silica Make Powder Flow Worse?

    Fumed (colloidal) silica improves powder flow by separating host particles and reducing [...]

  • Scientific comparison of powder particles before and after drying, showing liquid bridges, solid bridges, electrostatic charge retention, and fines.
    13 October 2026

    Why Does Powder Become More Cohesive After Drying?

    Drying does not always improve powder flow. Dissolved material can form solid [...]

  • Technical illustration comparing two powder fill masses in identical graduated cylinders, showing differences in bed depth, particle packing, and stress transmission.
    12 October 2026

    Why Does Tapped Density Change With Fill Mass?

    Increasing fill mass can raise or lower measured tapped density, depending on [...]