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In various industries, different functions require different particle size distributions of heavy calcium carbonate powder. This is why particle size is a key part of the quality control process of ground calcium carbonate.
Calcium carbonate. Image source: Bettersize Instruments Ltd.
This article focuses on the particle size distribution of three different heavy calcium carbonates measured by laser diffraction. Compare representative size values and size distribution curves to evaluate the quality and stability of the sizing process for each of the three samples.
Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) powder is usually made by crushing and grinding natural white calcite, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. White calcite and GCC powder. Image source: Bettersize Instruments Ltd.
GCC powder has a variety of different functions in a wide range of industries: it can be used as a filler for concrete in the construction industry, blackboard chalk, ceramic tiles, iron ore purification, oil well drilling fluids, paints, adhesives, sealants and used in Control acidity in the paper industry.
Most of these functions require various specific particle size distributions (PSD) of the GCC powder. Therefore, regular measurement of PSD is essential for the quality control process after mining and grinding.
Throughout the research process, three GCC powder samples were evaluated using Bettersizer ST. All three samples (GCC samples A, B and C) were measured after sorting and packaging. All measurements were repeated six times to verify repeatability.
The built-in wet dispersion device of Bettersizer ST facilitates the dispersion of GCC samples during the research process. Bettersizer ST's patented dual-lens optical system (DLOS) provides a measurement range of 0.1-1000 μm, capable of measuring these GCC powders and several other grades of calcium carbonate.
With DLOS technology, Bettersizer ST can provide users with fast, accurate and repeatable PSD measurement results. These PSD results are necessary to optimize calcium carbonate products and ensure that they meet industry standards and requirements.
Throughout the sorting and sorting process, all three GCC powder samples were screened using 325 mesh before packaging and shipping. This ensures that almost all particles in these GCC powder samples have a particle size value of less than 45 μm, which is the mesh size of 325 mesh.
Bettersizer ST is used to evaluate the particle size distribution and percentiles of GCC powder samples A, B and C. The general range of particle size values is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Typical dimensional values of GCC samples A, B and C. Source: Bettersize Instruments Ltd.
As shown in Table 1, the D90 of samples A, B and C is less than 45 μm. This means that 90% of the particles in the three samples can pass the 325 mesh, which indicates that most of the particles in the three samples meet the size requirements.
In order to evaluate the particle size distribution of GCC powder products, the PSD curves of GCC samples A, B and C were measured and compared. The result is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. PSD curves of GCC samples A, B, and C. Image source: Bettersize Instruments Ltd.
As shown in Figure 2, the three GCC powder samples are comparable in particle size distribution mode and range. This shows that the quality of these calcium carbonate products is controlled in terms of particle size.
The slightly smaller size of GCC sample C indicates that there are fewer coarse particles in sample C. But overall, the PSD results of the three GCC powder products are stable.
To ensure the repeatability of PSD, the measurement of each sample was repeated six times. The results of the characteristic size values of GCC powder sample C are shown in Table 2.
According to Table 2, the repeatability error of the measurement results is very small, which meets the ISO 13320 standard. This shows that Bettersizer ST is beneficial for producing repeatable and reproducible sizing results.
Table 2. Typical dimensional values of GCC powder sample C. Source: Bettersize Instruments Ltd.
The particle size and particle size distribution requirements of GCC powder products fluctuate in a wide range, depending on the application. Good control of the PSD of GCC powder products is very important for GCC manufacturers and their customers.
Bettersizer ST is an effective and reliable instrument that can provide particle size measurement solutions for most product quality control processes in the mining industry, and provide GCC powder feed quality control for most industrial applications.
Its sensitivity in identifying the subtle differences between samples A, B, and C enables users to be confident in evaluating the production process and diagnosing the cause of changes in particle size distribution.
This information is derived from materials provided by Bettersize Instruments Ltd. and has been reviewed and adapted.
For more information on this source, please visit Bettersize Instruments Ltd.
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