Particle size analysis lab is routinely required by industries as a critical control parameter for raw materials, manufacturing processes, and finished products. To fulfil this requirement of our esteemed customers, like you, we have installed the latest; Laser Diffraction based Particle Size Analyzer, the Malvern Mastersizer 3000, in our particle size analysis lab in New Delhi.

The System is equipped with both wet and dry mode accessories allowing the analysis of both powders and liquid dispersion. This new system has a large linear range of measurement from 10 nanometers to 3.5 millimeters allowing particle size measurements of diverse samples ranging from nanomaterials, right up to, coarse systems like pharmaceutical tablet granules.

Importance of Particle Analysis Lab

Particle size and particle size distribution are amongst the most important physical properties of a particulate system, as particle size has a direct effect on a number of material properties, some of these are listed below –

1. Dissolution rate and bioavailability of pharmaceutical products
2. Chemical stability of reactive or hygroscopic materials
3. Physical stability of suspension and emulsions in pharmaceuticals, pigments, and paints
4. Flow properties of the powder and granules in manufacturing processes
5. Efficacy of the drug delivery system like inhalers
6. Reactivity of chemicals and catalyst
7. Texture and feel of food products, creams, ointments, cosmetics
8. The appearance of powder coatings and inks
9. Viscosity, especially in the case of sprays
10. Packing density and porosity in ceramic

Common Techniques Used in the Particle Size Analysis Lab

Depending on the particle size range and the nature of data required (size and/or shape and/or surface characteristics) various techniques are available for the measurement of particle size. Some of the main techniques are listed below –

1. Mechanical Dry or Wet Sieving
2. Optical Microscopy
3. Sedimentation Rate – using Andreasen apparatus
4. Coulter Counter, which measures particle volume
5. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) – mostly used for the submicrometer size range
6. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
7. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
8. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
9. Automated imaging
10. Laser Diffraction – the principle used in Malvern Mastersizier 3000