Abstract
Knowledge of agglomerate strength is highly desirable for compression and tableting, dissolution and dispersion and mitigation of dust formation. The behaviour of agglomerates is affected by parameters such as density, agglomerate size, primary particle size, and interparticle bond strength. The method of agglomeration influences the evolution of structure, and this in turn affects its strength. Furthermore, the methods of strength characterisation, i.e. quasi-static or impact produce different results. To understand the role of structure and the influence of test method, agglomerate failure behaviour has been analysed by the use of the Distinct Element Method (DEM). We report on our work on the simulation of the breakage of the agglomerates for different porosities and impact conditions, where the role of impact speed and angle and type of contact bonding model have been evaluated. The adhesive contact model of JKR is used to form an agglomerate. The effect of the bonding level on the strength and size distribution of the clusters released as a result of failure has been investigated. This work also evaluates the effect of structure (porosity) on the strength of the agglomerates.
Highlights
Agglomerates may be formed in various ways and their mechanical strength depends on many factors due to the degree of freedom afforded by the primary particles
A sensitivity analysis is carried out addressing the effects of the single particle properties and agglomerate structure on the impact strength and size distribution of the clusters that are formed as a result of impact
At a given impact speed, the agglomerate with a lower surface energy breaks to a larger extent compared to the one with higher surface energy, which is as expected
Summary
Agglomerates may be formed in various ways and their mechanical strength depends on many factors due to the degree of freedom afforded by the primary particles. One of the important factors, which has a strong influence on strength, is the agglomerate structure, yet the current modelling capability is not predictive. A sensitivity analysis is carried out addressing the effects of the single particle properties (adhesion) and agglomerate structure (porosity) on the impact strength and size distribution of the clusters that are formed as a result of impact. This enables the underlying causes of variations in the dependency of impact speed and angle to be elucidated
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