Particle size distribution

Particle size distribution describes the range of particle sizes in a sample and the relative abundance of particles at each size.

Sieve analysis: A method that separates particles by passing a sample through sieves with progressively smaller openings. Stacked sieves classify coarse particles into size fractions by their ability to pass each opening.
Equivalent spherical diameter: The diameter of a sphere that matches a chosen property of a nonspherical particle. Many instruments reduce irregular particles to a method-dependent equivalent diameter.
Powder flow: The movement of a bulk powder under gravity or applied forces. Size range affects cohesion, segregation, and how reliably a powder moves through equipment.
Particle shape: The geometry of a particle, including its form, roundness, and surface features. Two particles with similar measured sizes can behave differently because their shapes differ.
Laser diffraction: A particle-sizing method that estimates size distributions from the angular pattern of scattered laser light. It infers particle sizes from scattering patterns rather than physically separating particles.
Particle size: A measured dimension or equivalent diameter used to characterize an individual particle. A distribution aggregates measurements of individual particle sizes.
Powder compaction: The densification of a powder by applying mechanical pressure. A distribution with multiple size fractions can change packing and compact strength.
Agglomeration: The joining of smaller particles into loosely bound clusters. Clusters may be measured as larger units unless sample preparation disperses them.
Dynamic light scattering: A method that estimates small-particle sizes from fluctuations in scattered light caused by Brownian motion. It measures rapidly moving fine particles and reports a distribution derived from their diffusion.
Number-weighted distribution: A particle-size distribution in which each particle contributes equally, regardless of its size. It emphasizes particle counts and can differ sharply from mass- or volume-weighted results.

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