Powder: Measurement, formulation, innovation, industrialization
Powders, aggregates, pulverulent or compacted materials exhibit behaviors highly sensitive to their physicochemical, mechanical, environmental and dynamic propertiesIn industrial processes, they are at the heart of critical issues: flow, dosing, mixing, compaction, transport, agglomeration, drying, adhesion, etc.
At RHEONIS, we implement advanced expertise and appropriate means to analyze and control the actual behavior of powders in your processing conditions – where standard methods show their limits.
Your issues: between variability, instability and non-linearity
We support your R&D, process, production, quality or industrial transfer teams for:
- Identify the causes of unstable behaviors : blockage, segregation, erratic dosage, flow fluctuation, etc.
- Characterize the real flow and transformation conditions (silos, screws, conveyors, presses, mixers, etc.)
- Understanding the phenomena ofadhesion, fouling, friction or aggregation
- Anticipate the impact of the material variability, aging, humidity or temperature
- Define robust technical criteria for formulation, material choice or equipment design
Ranges of powders and granular materials studied
We intervene on a wide variety of powders, whether mineral, organic, polymeric, metallic, food or hybrid:
Mineral powders and fillers
- Silicas, talcs, clays, kaolins, carbonates, metal oxides, etc.
- Studies of interactions with liquids, polymers or resins
Polymer and plastic powders
- PA, PE, PTFE, POM, PMMA, dry powder or dispersion
- Behavior under shear, extrusion, melting
Food or pharmaceutical powders
- Lactose, starches, sugars, excipients, nutritional powders
- Stability, rheology, environmental sensitivity studies
Metallic or ceramic powders
- For sintering, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing
- Study of settlement, flow, thermal reactivity
Complex or reactive mixtures
- Two-component systems, fillers + binders, formulated premixes
- Matter/matter, matter/machine interaction studies
Our specific services
Advanced behavioral characterization
We analyze the dynamic, structural and functional properties powders under real or simulated conditions:
- Flow : avalanche angle, cohesion, internal friction, shear effect, mass flow
- Compaction : compressibility, elastoplastic behavior, densification, rebound, settlement
- Aeration / permeability : gas flow, air trap, defluidization, drying
- Humidity interaction : hygroscopicity, solidification, bonding, phase transition (glass, fusion)
- Membership and deposit : behavior on process surfaces, sensitivity to electrostatic charge
- Powder rheology : alternative methods to FT4, design of specific devices
Objective: to translate observed behaviors into concrete and usable indicators for your formulations, your equipment or your settings.
Customized dynamic tests in simulated conditions
We design and adapt experimental devices for:
- Simulate industrial movements (screw, mixing, vibration, sieving, compression, etc.)
- Reproduce the effects of temperature, humidity, pressure, mechanical constraints
- Follow the evolution of physical properties over time
Objective: to observe and understand phenomena under the same conditions as those encountered in the field.
Diagnosis of malfunction or instability
We intervene to identify the root causes of unforeseen or variable behavior:
- Blockages, vaults, bridges in hoppers or silos
- Agglomeration effects, humidification, material aging
- Segregation during transport or mixing
- Abnormal residues or fouling
- Variability of apparent density or final performance
Objective: to propose courses of action targeted on materials, processes or the environment.
Formulation and process support
- Optimization of granular mixtures (particle size distribution, material compatibility, etc.)
- Help in choosing powders or technical charges
- Definition of robust windows for production
- Support for theindustrialization or scale transposition
Objective: secure development, reduce trial and error phases and make processes more reliable.
RHEONIS methods and approach
A phenomenological approach applied to powders
We approach powders as dynamic, sensitive, non-linear environments, whose behaviors result from multi-scale interactions:
- Shape, roughness, surface chemistry
- Humidity, temperature, environment
- Mechanical constraints (compression, shear, vibration, etc.)
- Time and kinetics of transformation
Dedicated and adaptable experimental means
- Modular tests, protocol adjusted to your product and process
- Possibility of measuring on small quantities or sensitive materials
- Visualization and monitoring behaviors over time
Would you like to discuss your challenges with our specialists? Do not hesitate to leave us a message, we will respond within 48 hours maximum.