Insight of the Week

Welcome to Insight of the Week, where we spotlight practical, actionable knowledge in powder technology and material sciences. Each week, we delve into a key topic, offering a short analysis, expert perspectives, and innovative solutions tailored to industry challenges.

Featured Insight of the Week

Why Hopper Fill Level Changes Powder Discharge
Do not diagnose a feeder as if the hopper sends it one constant powder. After a refill, the powder near the outlet may still be aerated. Minutes later, the same material may be denser, less permeable, and harder to move. A feeder problem usually announces itself at the [...]
Powder Operating Window: Why a Good Powder Fails in the Wrong Process
A powder operating window defines the process conditions in which a material behaves reliably. When a powder meets specification but still fails during handling, storage, feeding, or processing, the crossed boundary often lies in consolidation stress, wall friction, aeration, humidity, wetting behavior, segregation, temperature, or time. Useful diagnosis starts by finding that [...]
Fines in Powder Behavior: Why Small Amounts Matter
Fines in powder behavior matter because fine particles add surface area, contact points, and interaction sites. A small increase in the fine fraction can change cohesion, air movement, dust formation, packing, and flow behavior, even when the median particle size remains stable. A powder does not need a [...]
Coated Particle Damage Before Particle Size Changes
Coated particle damage can change performance before particle size distribution shows a clear difference. Abrasion, cracks, and exposed cores may alter release behavior, moisture sensitivity, stability, dust release, or flow while the particle still appears to sit within the expected size range. Coated particle damage does not always [...]
Powder Wettability: Why Powders Float, Clump, or Disperse
Powder wettability controls the first contact between powder and liquid. When liquid cannot enter the powder structure and replace trapped air, dispersion may start with floating material, clumps, dry cores, and unnecessary process variation. Powder wettability often decides whether a powder-liquid process starts cleanly or begins with defects. [...]