Title: Determination of Bulk Density and Tapped Density of Powder
1. Objective: Determination of Bulk Density and Tapped Density of powder.
2. Principle: The bulk density of a powder is the ratio of the mass of an untapped powder sample and its volume including the contribution of inter particulate void volume. Hence, the bulk density depends on both the density of powder particles and the spatial arrangement of particles in the powder bed. The bulk density is expressed in grams per ml (g/ml).
3. Procedure:
The bulking properties of a powder are dependent upon the preparation, treatment, and storage of the sample, i.e., how it was handled. The particles can be packed to have a range of bulk densities; however, the slightest disturbance of the powder bed may result in a changed bulk density. Thus, the bulk density of a powder is often very difficult to measure with good reproducibility and, in reporting the results, it is essential to specify how the determination was made. The bulk density of a powder is determined by measuring the volume of a known weight of powder sample, that may have been passed through a sieve, into a graduated cylinder (Method I), or by measuring the mass of a known volume of powder that has been passed through a volumeter into a cup (Method II) or a measuring vessel (Method III). Method I and Method III are favored.
- Method I: Measurement in a Graduated Cylinder
Pass a quantity of material sufficient to complete the test through a sieve with apertures greater than or equal to 1.0 mm, if necessary, to break up agglomerates that may have formed during storage; this must be done gently to avoid changing the nature of the material. Into a dry graduated 250-ml cylinder (readable to 2 ml) introduce, without compacting, approximately 100 g of test sample, M, weighed with 0.1% accuracy. Carefully level the powder without compacting, if necessary, and read the unsettled apparent volume (V0) to the nearest graduated unit. Calculate the bulk density in g/ml by the formula M/V0. Generally, replicate determinations are desirable for the determination of this property. If the powder density is too low or too high, such that the test sample has an untapped apparent volume of either more than 250 ml or less than 150 ml, it is not possible to use 100 g of powder sample. Therefore, a different amount of powder has to be selected as the test sample, such that its untapped apparent volume is 150–250 ml (apparent volume greater than or equal to 60% of the total volume of the cylinder); the weight of the test sample is specified in the expression of results. For test samples having an apparent volume between 50 ml and 100 ml, a 100-ml cylinder readable to 1 ml can be used; the volume of the cylinder is specified in the expression of results.
Bulk density (g/ml)= M/Vo
Where, M = Weight of sample powder.
Vo = unsettled volume measured on the cylinder.
- Method II: Measurement in a Volumeter
- Apparatus:
The apparatus (Figure 1) consists of a top funnel fitted with a 1.0-mm sieve The funnel is mounted over a baffle box containing four glass baffle plates over which the powder slides and bounces as it passes. At the bottom of the baffle box is a funnel that collects the powder and allows it to pour into a cup of specified capacity mounted directly below it. The cup may be cylindrical (25.00 ± 0.05 ml volume with an inside diameter of 30.00 ± 2.00 mm) or square (16.39 ±0.2 ml volume with inside dimensions of 25.400 ±0.076 mm).
Figure-1
- Procedure:
Allow an excess of powder to flow through the apparatus into the sample receiving cup until it overflows, using a minimum of 25 cm3 of powder with the square cup and 35 cm3 of powder with the cylindrical cup. Carefully scrape excess powder from the top of the cup by smoothly moving the edge of the blade of a spatula perpendicular to and in contact with the top surface of the cup, taking care to keep the spatula perpendicular to prevent packing or removal of powder from the cup. Remove any material from the sides of the cup, and determine the weight (M) of the powder. Calculate the bulk density, in g/ml, by the formula:
. Bulk Density (g/ml) = M/ Vo
in which V0 is the volume in ml of the cup. Record the average of three determinations using three different powder samples.
- Method III: Measurement in a vessel
- Apparatus:
The apparatus consists of a 100-ml cylindrical vessel of stainless steel with dimensions as specified.
- Procedure:
Pass a quantity of powder sufficient to complete the test through a 1.0-mm sieve, if necessary, to break up agglomerates that may have formed during storage, and allow the obtained sample to flow freely into the measuring vessel until it over flows. Carefully scrape the excess powder from the top of the vessel as described for Method II. Determine the weight (M0) of the powder by subtraction of the previously determined mass of the empty measuring vessel. Calculate the bulk density (g/ml) by the formula M0/100, and record the average of three determinations using three different powder samples.
Bulk Density (g/ml) = M0 /100
- TAPPED DENSITY:
The tapped density is an increased bulk density attained after mechanically tapping a container containing the powder sample. Tapped density is obtained by mechanically tapping a graduated measuring cylinder or vessel containing a powder sample. After observing the initial powder volume or weight, the measuring cylinder or vessel is mechanically tapped, and volume or weight readings are taken until little further volume or weight change is observed. The mechanical tapping is achieved by raising the cylinder or vessel and allowing it to drop under its own weight a specified distance by either of three methods as described below. Devices that rotate the cylinder or vessel during tapping may be preferred to minimize any possible separation of the mass during tapping down.
- Method I:
The apparatus consists of the following:
A 250-ml graduated cylinder (readable to 2 ml with a mass of 220 ± 44 g)
A settling apparatus capable of producing, in 1 min, either nominally 250 ± 15 taps from a height of 3 ± 0.2 mm, or nominally 300 ± 15 taps from a height of 14 ± 2 mm. The support for the graduated cylinder, with its holder, has a mass of 450 ± 10 g.
Procedure:
Proceed as described above for the determination of the bulk volume (V0). Secure the cylinder in the holder. Carry out 10, 500, and 1250 taps on the same powder sample and read the corresponding volumes V10, V500, and V1250 to the nearest graduated unit. If the difference between V500 and V1250 is less than 2 ml or equal to 2 ml, V1250 is the tapped volume. If the difference between V500 and V1250 exceeds 2 ml, repeat in increments such as 1250 taps, until the difference between succeeding measurements is less than or equal to 2 ml. Fewer taps may be appropriate for some powders, when validated. Calculate the tapped density (g/ml) using the formula m/VF, in which VF is the final tapped volume. Generally, replicate determinations are desirable for the determination of this property. Specify the drop height with the results. If it is not possible to use a 100-g test sample, use a reduced amount and a suitable 100-ml graduated cylinder (readable to 1 ml) weighing 130 ±16 g and mounted on a holder weighing 240 ±12 g. The modified test conditions are specified in the expression of the results.
Tapped Density (g/ml) = m/VF
Where m: sample weight and VF: final tapped volume
- Method II
Apparatus and Procedure: Proceed as directed under Method I except that the mechanical tester provides a fixed drop of 3 ± 0.2 mm at a nominal rate of 250 taps per minutes.
- Method III
Apparatus and Procedure: Proceed as directed in Method III—Measurement in a Vessel for measuring bulk density using the measuring vessel equipped with the cap is lifted 50–60 times per minute by the use of a suitable tapped density tester. Carry out 200 taps, remove the cap, carefully scrape excess powder from the top of the measuring vessel as described in Method III—Measurement in a Vessel for measuring the bulk density. Repeat the procedure using 400 taps. If the difference between the two masses obtained after 200 and 400 taps exceeds 2%, carry out a test using 200 additional taps until the difference between succeeding measurements is less than 2%. Calculate the tapped density (g/ml) using the formula MF/100, where MF is the mass of powder in the measuring vessel. Record the average of three determinations using three different powder samples. The test conditions including tapping height are specified in the expression of the results
Tapped Density (g/ml) = MF / 100
Where MF: Mass of the powder