Early stage product development using laser diffraction analysis

Using laser diffraction particle size analysis to support early stage product development

Abstract

Measuring particle size at an early stage in development is therefore of significant benefit to researchers who need to engineer specific product attributes.

Introduction

Particle size and size distribution are often important parameters in defining product performance. Particle size measurement can be used as a tool to predict and control properties such as product stability, uniformity, flowability and appearance, and can also help with understanding the processability of a new material. Measuring particle size at an early stage in development is therefore of significant benefit to researchers who need to engineer specific product attributes.

One of the challenges associated with carrying out particle size distribution measurements during early development is that the amount of material available may be limited. The ability to measure small volume samples is therefore important. However, it is also important to consider how the selected measurement method can be scaled up to handle larger sample quantities during the later stages of development and production. This allows any specifications set at an early stage to be carried forward.