Perspectives on powders

As someone who finds powders endlessly fascinating, I am always impressed with their diversity, while being reminded of the similarity and importance of the challenges they pose in practically every manufacturing sector.

Extensive use of the FT4 Powder Rheometer in the pharmaceutical industry is rapidly being matched by its application for building materials, powdered metals, ceramics, coatings, chemicals, and friction materials, to name just a few. In all these areas, the ability to harness processing experience and correlate this with measured powder characteristics is supporting improved process development and better optimisation.

For instance, knowing how powders behave in preparation, die filling and transfer is very important in powder metallurgy, since these activities influence the integrity of the final component. Cost-effective manufacturing relies on process and powder characteristics being compatible, and studies we will present at PM2008 reinforce this. Another challenging area is the world of complex, fibrous materials used, for example, in manufacturing brake pads.

Reg Freeman, Managing Director

New multi-language software

Translation of the FT4 Powder Rheometer’s software and data analysis package into French, German and Spanish is now complete and we are very pleased to announce availability. Visitors to PTXi (International Powder & Bulk Solids) next week can see the software in action on Booth #2745. Also available soon will be translations of the comprehensive FT4 User Manual, which provides a thorough guide to all aspects of this universal powder tester and its applications.

Partners in powder testing

The FT4 will be demonstrated on the Freeman Technology booth throughout PTXi. Information about its central role in the provision of a commercial powder characterization service will also be available on the Particle Technology Labs Ltd (PTL) Booth 2611. PTL’s powder characterization service was introduced in 2005 and demand has increased significantly over the past 18 months, with a wide range of industrial powders being tested, including ceramics, cement and pharmaceutical materials.

For more information about the service visit http://www.particletechlabs.com/

Presenting metal powders

At the forthcoming World Congress on Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials (see events panel), Reg Freeman will present the results of studies to investigate the bulk, dynamic flow and shear properties of steel, tungsten, aluminium and ceramics - correlating these with the ability to fill a die. The full paper will be available after the conference.

To view the abstract click here.

Talking of friction

In an invited presentation, Tim Freeman spoke recently to an audience from the friction, sealing and paper products, and heat and cut protection industries. The occasion was the 12th Twaron symposium organised for its customers by Teijin Aramid Gmbh, manufacturer of Twaron, a very strong, light para-aramid fibre used in a wide range of applications. The FT4 is being used to investigate the flow behaviour of friction materials containing Twaron, with a view to designing formulations with specific properties.

Click here to request more details.

Collected Hints & Tips

A reminder that the first three in our Hints & Tips series are all available on request, with number 4 (‘A bird’s eye view of powder characterisation’) scheduled to coincide with the next issue of this newsletter in September, just ahead of Powtech.

No. 1 : Sampling
No. 2 : Obtaining reproducible data
No. 3 : Making the most of experience

With a packed conference schedule this year we very much look forward to meeting you at:

6 - 8 May 2008

Rosemont IL, USA
Booth #2745

8 - 12 June 2008

Reg Freeman, managing director of Freeman Technology will present a paper entitled the 'Characterisation of Powder Bulk, Dynamic Flow & Shear Properties in Relation to Die Filling' at Session 45 on Tuesday June 10th.

Washington D.C, USA

2 - 4 September 2008

Stratford, UK

30 Sep - 2 Oct 2008

NürnbergMesse GmbH, Nürnberg, Germany
Hall 6, Stand 450

16 - 20 November 2008

Atlanta GA, USA
Booth #540