Static and dynamic stickiness tests to measure particle stickiness

Abstract

Sticking of particles has a tremendous impact on powder-processing industries, especially for hygroscopic amorphous powders. A wide variety of experimental methods has been developed to measure at what combinations of temperature and moisture content material becomes sticky. This review describes, for each method, how so-called stickiness curves are determined. As particle velocity also plays a key role, we classify the methods into static and dynamic stickiness tests. Static stickiness tests have limited particle motion during the conditioning step prior to the measurement. Thus, the obtained information is particularly useful in predicting the long-term behavior of powder during storage or in packaging. Dynamic stickiness tests involve significant particle motion during conditioning and measurement. Stickiness curves strongly depend on particle velocity, and the obtained information is highly relevant to the design and operation of powder production and processing equipment. Virtually all methods determine the onset of stickiness using powder as a starting point. Given the many industrial processes like spray drying that start from a liquid that may become sticky upon drying, future effort should focus on developing test methods that determine the onset of stickiness using a liquid droplet as a starting point.