Broad Particle Size Distribution Research Articles

Print quality of flexographic printed paperboard related to coating composition and structure

Ink transfer and setting influence the achievable print quality and visual appearance. The pressure in the printing nip and the porosity of the substrate regulate the amount of ink that penetrates into a porous coating structure. The purpose of this study was to understand how print quality aspects could be related to ink penetration of water-based flexographic ink into coatings of differently engineered structures: calcium carbonate (GCC) of various particle size distribution (PSD), coatings with different amounts of latex binder, and coatings with various blends of GCC and kaolin. Calcium carbonate with broad pigment PSD resulted in a lower print density compared to coatings of narrowly distributed particle sizes. Coatings of larger pore volume and greater dominating pore radius showed a higher amount of z-directional ink penetration. A high ratio of uncovered areas (UCA) could be detected for samples with high amount of latex. However, increased printing force eliminated these artefacts. Increased printing force increased the print density to a higher degree than did a reduced ink viscosity for coatings with pure GCC. For coating layers containing both GCC and kaolin clay, decreased ink viscosity had a stronger impact on the print density than increased printing force. Print density was also affected by ink penetration, suggesting that the optical response is sensitive to the ink-substrate interaction layer. The result presented in this work also suggests that the print gloss decreases with increased amount of penetrated ink due to a higher rate of ink vehicle removal.

Nanocomposite thermite powders with improved flowability prepared by mechanical milling

Nanocomposite thermite powders can be used in reactive parts and components. Manufacturing these components requires tailoring powder particle size distributions, particle shapes, and powder flowability. Specifically, an improved flowability is desired to use such powders as feedstock in additive manufacturing. Arrested reactive milling (ARM) offers a versatile and practical approach for preparing nanocomposite thermites with fully dense particles, which will retain their structures and mixedness between reactive components while being stored, handled, and processed. However, ARM products usually have broad particle size distributions, rock-like particle shapes, and poor flowability. Here, ARM is modified to include a low-energy milling step to tune the shapes and flowability of the prepared powders. Experiments are performed with aluminum-rich Al·Fe2O3 thermites. After the initial nanocomposite thermite is prepared in a planetary mill, it is additionally milled at a reduced rotation rate, replacing milling balls with smaller glass beads, and adding different liquid process control agents. Powders with modified particle shapes and size distributions are obtained, which have substantially improved flowability compared to the initial material. The reactivity of the initial and modified powders is evaluated using their ignition on a heated wire, by electro-static discharge, by thermal analysis (DSC) and in constant volume explosion tests. The reactivity of the modified powders is not diminished; instead, an improved reactivity is observed for selected samples.

Weighting inversion of dynamic light scattering based on particle-size information distribution character

In particle sizing with dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, the determination of particle size distribution (PSD), via inversing the autocorrelation function (ACF) of scattering light, is usually limited by the inherently low particle size information in ACF data and, the lack of targeted inversion on the noise restriction and the particle size information utilization. For the ACF data in DLS measurement, most of particle size information is centrally contained in the decay section and the larger noise is contained in the larger delay section. However, no consideration of the particle size information distribution in the ACF data for the routine inversion method increases the difficulty of the accurate PSD inversion, especially the broad and bimodal PSDs. Until now, it is still a difficult problem to obtain an accurate recovery of the broad and bimodal PSDs, specifically the bimodal PSD with a peak position ratio less than 2:1 and containing large particles (350 nm). In this paper, a character-weighted constrained regularization (CW-CR) method is proposed, in which, the particle size information distribution in the ACF as the base and the adjustment parameter as the exponent are used to weight the ACF. By using the weighting coefficients corresponding to the particle size information distribution along the delay time in ACF, the CW-CR method can enhance the utilization of the particle size information in ACF data, and effectively weaken the effect of noise at large delay time. With this method, the closely spaced bimodal PSD (with nominal diameters of m 350 nm:500 nm in simulation, m 300 nm:502 nm in experiment) is recovered successfully at a high noise level of 0.01. It shows that the CW-CR method, combined with the multiangle DLS (MDLS) measurement, can effectively make the best use of the particle size information hiding in the noisy ACF data, and improve the resolution of bimodal PSD as well as the capability of noise suppression. So it can make the advantages of MDLS more highlighted than the routine method in the recovery of the broad and bimodal PSDs.

Numerical insight into multisize particulate flow field through rotating channel

Detailed insight into dense multisize particulate flow field in a straight channel subject to spanwise system rotation is presented for the first time. Mathematical modelling employs Eulerian-Eulerian (continuum-mechanical) approach accounting for the broad particle size distribution that is common place in industrial slurries. Numerical formulation utilises Galerkin FEM using Q1Q0 elements. Besides counter-intuitive observations in velocity flow field, the effects of varying system rotation rates and flow Reynolds number indicate interesting interplay between turbulence, Coriolis force and centrifugal force on the dense solid-liquid flow field.

Filtration properties of kraft lignin: The influence of xylan and precipitation conditions. - OPEN ACCESS

LignoBoost lignin powder was dissolved together with xylan and re-precipitated. The influence of the (i) precipitation temperature, (ii) rate of acidification and (iii) final pH of the slurries on the resulting material and its filtration properties was investigated. In the case of slow acidification, larger agglomerates were obtained for slurries with higher precipitation temperatures as well as with higher ionic strengths. Fast acidification led to a more heterogeneous formation of particles, having a broader particle size distribution, compared to slow acidification. Chemical analysis of different layers of the filter cakes formed revealed that xylan was distributed evenly on the solid lignin, reinforcing the hypothesis that xylan is sorbed onto the lignin agglomerates when precipitated together with lignin. Furthermore, the resulting lignin-xylan mixtures were found to be more difficult to filter in the case of a higher final pH of the slurry (pH 4), close to the pKa values of the carboxylic acid groups of xylan, compared to lower pH values (pH 1-3). This is likely the result of an increase in electrostatic repulsive interactions between the particles/agglomerates at higher pH: a locally more porous solid structure is formed, leading to a larger solid/liquid surface area during filtration.

Application of the thixotropic elasto-viscoplastic model as a structure probing technique for acid milk gel suspensions

The rheology of acid milk gels is investigated as an elasto-viscoplastic thixotropic fluid. The gel is a colloidal protein network that upon shear is transformed into suspension of aggregates where the original rheology of the gel is not recoverable. It is shown that the measured characteristic size of the aggregates is directly proportional to a structural parameter (λ) obtained from rheological measurements. This supports the use of the λ in elasto-viscoplastic constitutive models as a representation of the changing structure in the suspension. λ also correlates to the aggregate particle size after initially breaking down the structure at high shear rate and then allowing the structure to recover at lower shear rates. Following this shear breakdown/recovery, a broader particle size distribution is observed compared with the results obtained during breakdown of the initial set gel. This structural difference may be critically linked to the thixotropic rheological properties of the sheared gels. The outcomes from this research pave the way for mechanistically predicting and quantifying shear processing-structure-property relationships for acid milk gels and other related dairy foods.

Extrusion modifies some physicochemical properties of milk protein concentrate for improved performance in high-protein nutrition bars.

Extruded and ground milk protein concentrate powders, specifically those with 800 g kg-1 protein (i.e. MPC80), imparted softness, cohesion and textural stability to high-protein nutrition (HPN) bars. The present study evaluated some physicochemical properties of extruded and conventionally produced (i.e. spray-dried) MPC80 to explain these improvements. Protein chemical changes and aggregations within MPC80-formulated HPN bars during storage were characterized. Extruded MPC80 powders had broader particle size distribution (P < 0.05) and smaller volume-weighted mean diameter (P < 0.05) than the spray-dried control. Loose, tapped and particle densities increased (P < 0.05) and correspondingly occluded and interstitial air volumes decreased (P < 0.05) after extruding and milling MPC80. Extrusion decreased water holding capacity (P < 0.05) and solubility (P < 0.05), yet improved the wettability (P < 0.05) of MPC80. MPC80 free sulfhydryl (P < 0.05) and free amine (P < 0.05) concentrations decreased after extrusion. Sulfhydryl and amine concentrations changed (P < 0.05) and disulfide-linked and, more prominently, Maillard-induced aggregates developed during HPN bar storage. Extrusion and milling together changed the physicochemical properties of MPC80. Chemical changes and protein aggregations occurred in HPN bars prepared with either type of MPC80. Thus, the physicochemical properties of the formulating powder require consideration for desired HPN bar texture and stability. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Roles of glutathione and L-cysteine in the biomimetic green synthesis of CdSe quantum dots

Biological synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) as an environmental-friendly and facile preparation method has attracted increasing interests. However, it is difficult to distinguish the roles of bio-thiols in QDs synthesis process because of the complex nature in organisms. In this work, the CdSe QDs synthesis conditions in organisms were reconstructed by using a simplified in vitro approach to uncover the roles of two small bio-thiols in the QDs formation. CdSe QDs were synthesized with glutathione (GSH) and L-cysteine (Cys) respectively. Compared with Cys at the same molar concentration, the CdSe QDs synthesized by GSH had a larger and broader particle size distribution with improved optical properties and crystal structure. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations indicate that the stronger Cd2+ binding capacity of GSH contributed a lot to the CdSe QDs formation despite of the greater capability Cys for selenite reduction. This work clearly demonstrates the different roles of small thiols in the Cd2+ stabilization in the environment and biomimetic QDs synthesis process.

57Fe Mössbauer, XRD, FT-IR, FE SEM Analyses of Natural Goethite, Hematite and Siderite

Natural goethite, hematite and siderite were analysed with 57Fe Mossbauer, XRD and FT-IR. FE SEM images of samples were also taken. The Mossbauer spectra of limonite (α-FeOOH · nH2O) from Budapest (Hungary), Ljubija (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Korcё (Albania) showed the same type of spectrum, indicating low crystallinity and broad particle size distribution. All goethite particles from these three locations were one-dimensional (1D), but with different nano/microstructures. A very early precursor of limonite from Budapest and Ljubija locations was assigned to FeS2 (pyrite and/or marcasite) which oxidised upon ventilation (oxygenation) under hydrogeothermal conditions, thus producing FeSO4 and Fe2(SO4)3. In the next step limonite deposits were formed. The similarity between this limonite formation under hydrogeothermal conditions and the chemical precipitation of goethite from FeSO4 or Fe2(SO4)3 solutions at laboratory level was briefly discussed. The deposition of lateritic goethite at the Korce location is presumed to be due to the chemical weathering (tropical conditions) of ultramafic rocks. Under the same conditions and a proper pH the transformation of goethite to hematite is possible. Alternatively, the oxidation of Fe2+ in magnetite and its transformation to hematite via maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) as an intermediate could have taken place. The Mossbauer spectrum of siderite from the Ljubija location showed a quadrupole doublet with asymmetric spectral lines. This asymmetry could be assigned to the Goldanskii-Karyagin effect, however, the contribution of the crystallite texture to this asymmetry cannot be excluded. Hematite and a small fraction of siderite at the Vares location (Bosnia-Herzegovina) are of metasomatic origin deposited in limestone that now form a series of greatly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. Hematite particles were deposited in the form of laminates (2D).

Multi-wavelength UV-detection in capillary hydrodynamic fractionation. Data treatment for an absolute estimate of the particle size distribution

A new approach is proposed for estimating the particle size distribution (PSD) of hydrophobic colloids by capillary hydrodynamic fractionation (CHDF) based on UV-detection at several wavelengths. At each elution time, the multi-wavelength UV signal is used to estimate the instantaneous PSD at the detector cell by solving the involved inverse problem through an artificial neural network. Then, the global PSD is obtained as a weighted sum of the estimated instantaneous PSDs along the entire elution time interval. With the current approach, the estimation procedure is absolute in the sense that no calibration of diameters is required and the instrumental broadening introduced by the fractionation capillary is automatically compensated for. The proposed method was evaluated on the basis of narrow polystyrene standards, as follows: i) a single standard, to emulate a narrow unimodal PSD; ii) a mixture of three standards of relatively close average diameters, to emulate a broad unimodal PSD; and iii) a mixture of two standards of quite different average diameters, to emulate a bimodal PSD. Experimental results indicate that the new approach is able to produce adequate PSD estimates provided that the particle refractive index is known with a relatively high accuracy.

Particle size distribution control of Pt particles used for particle gun

The purpose of this study is particle size distribution (PSD) control of submicron sized Pt particles used for particle gun. In this report, simple reaction crystallization is conducted by mixing H2PtCl6 and ascorbic acid. Without the additive, obtained Pt particles have broad PSD and reproducibility of experiment is low. With seeding, Pt particles have narrow PSD and reproducibility improved. Additionally, mean particle diameter of 100–700nm is controlled by changing seeding amount. Obtained particles are successfully characterized as Pt by XRD results. Moreover, XRD spectra indicate that obtained particles are polycrystals. These experimental results suggest that seeding consumed nucleation, as most nuclei attached on the seed surface. This mechanism virtually restricted nucleation to have narrow PSD can be obtained.

Nanosized carbon dots from organic matter and biomass

Carbon nanoparticles (C-dots) were prepared by refluxing the combustion soots of candles and corn stalk in nitric acid. The synthesized C-dots were characterized. The results showed a sharp increase in oxygen content and a sharp decrease in carbon content after oxidation. The C-dots had -OH and -CO2H groups introduced which made them hydrophilic. However, their difference was also obvious. The C-dots from candle soot had a 10-45 nm broad particle size distribution, and those from corn stalk soot had a 6-18 nm relatively small and narrow size distribution. The C-dots were mainly of sp2 and sp3 carbon structure different from the C-dots of diamond-like structure from candle soot. Interestingly, two kinds of C-dots all exhibited unique photoluminescent properties. The obtained C-dots have potential applications in a broad range of areas.

Tungsten Carbide Grain Size Computation for WC-Co Dissimilar Welds

A “two-step” image processing method based on electron backscatter diffraction in scanning electron microscopy was used to compute the tungsten carbide (WC) grain size distribution for tungsten inert gas (TIG) welds and laser welds. Twenty-four images were collected on randomly set fields per sample located at the top, middle, and bottom of a cross-sectional micrograph. Each field contained 500 to 1500 WC grains. The images were recognized through clustering-based image segmentation and WC grain growth recognition. According to the WC grain size computation and experiments, a simple WC-WC interaction model was developed to explain the WC dissolution, grain growth, and aggregation in welded joints. The WC-WC interaction and blunt corners were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The WC grain size distribution and the effects of heat input E on grain size distribution for the laser samples were discussed. The results indicate that (1) the grain size distribution follows a Gaussian distribution. Grain sizes at the top of the weld were larger than those near the middle and weld root because of power attenuation. (2) Significant WC grain growth occurred during welding as observed in the as-welded micrographs. The average grain size was 11.47 μm in the TIG samples, which was much larger than that in base metal 1 (BM1 2.13 μm). The grain size distribution curves for the TIG samples revealed a broad particle size distribution without fine grains. The average grain size (1.59 μm) in laser samples was larger than that in base metal 2 (BM2 1.01 μm). (3) WC-WC interaction exhibited complex plane, edge, and blunt corner characteristics during grain growth. A WC\( \left( { 1 {\bar{\text{1}}}00} \right) \) to WC\( \left( {0 1 1 {\bar{\text{0}}}} \right) \) edge disappeared and became a blunt plane WC\( \left( { 10 1 {\bar{\text{0}}}} \right) \), several grains with two- or three-sided planes and edges disappeared into a multi-edge, and a WC-WC merged.

Inverse opal photoelectrode of Nb-doped TiO2 nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cell

In this study, Nb-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by solution synthesis, and utilized as photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cell aiming to obtain better photon-to-current conversion efficiency. Nb doping was carried out using two different Nb precursors, and subsequent hydrothermal treatment resulted in the size-controlled (~10 nm) Nb-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with typical ellipsoidal shapes and anatase morphologies. It was observed that NbCl2 precursor resulted in more uniform particle size, while Nb oxalate resulted in relatively broader particle size distributions and higher aspect ratio ellipsoid. Using these nanoparticles, 10 μm-thick porous inverse opal (IO) photoelectrodes were fabricated by coating the mixed aqueous dispersions of Nb-TiO2 nanoparticles and polystyrene particles of 270 nm diameter on conductive glass followed by thermal sintering. DSSC single cell performance tests revealed that a photoelectrode from 2 mol% Nb- TiO2 obtained from NbCl2 exhibited 20 % enhancement for solar cell efficiency compared to bare TiO2 IO.

Kinetics of chalcopyrite leaching in either ferric sulphate or cupric sulphate media in the presence of NaCl

The shrinking core model (SCM) has been extensively applied in the kinetics analysis of particulate systems. This is because in its classical form it is one of the simplest models developed for fluid–solid reactions. However, it requires single-sized solid grains failing to describe the leaching kinetics for broad particle size distributions (PSDs). The current investigation successfully applied an extension of the SCM to the leaching of chalcopyrite with a broad PSD in a mixed chloride–sulphate solution. Such a medium was selected because there is renewed attention to leaching in mixed systems due to the increasing utilization of saline waters in both leaching and bioleaching of sulphide ores. Moreover, chloride is a catalyst of chalcopyrite leaching. Specifically, the effects of temperature (70°C to 90°C) and reagent (Fe3+, Cu2+ and Cl−) concentrations on the leaching kinetics were determined. The results showed that chalcopyrite leaching was faster with Cu2+ (larger rate constant) than with Fe3+, but the activation energy was similar in both cases with 66.6kJ/mol for 0.5mol/L of Cu2+ and 66.8kJ/mol with 1.0mol/L Fe3+.

Recyclability assessment of Al 7075 chips produced by cold comminution and consolidation using spark plasma sintering

A solid-state recycling route for processing aluminium alloy 7075 chips is proposed. This process involves pulverizing the chips using an industrial scale comminution line to produce a broad particle size distribution of granulated products and powders. Upon sieving, the −140 mesh fraction of the pulverised material was consolidated by spark plasma sintering into fully dense compacts, i.e. >99%. The properties of the pulverised powders and compacts were compared to commercially available aluminium alloy 7075 powder used in industrial press-sinter applications. The comminution line produced powder particles which possessed a 7·9 ± 0·6-nm thick native oxide layer with adhering exogenous contaminants, and aluminium oxide particles dispersed throughout the powder. The presence of the oxide layer and exogenous contaminants was found to be deleterious to the powder consolidation and mechanical properties. A flexural strength and strain and hardness of 94·7 ± 7·2 MPa, 2·1 ± 0·3% and 69·3 ± 5·2 HV were obtained, respectively.

Microencapsulation of Calcium Nitrate for Concrete Applications

The use of encapsulating healing agents that allow the self-healing of concrete has emerged as a potential solution to the current decay and costly maintenance of concrete infrastructure; however, many healing agents are expensive. The objectives of this study were to develop a procedure for the production of urea–formaldehyde microcapsules of calcium nitrate and to evaluate the effects of the microcapsules on self-healing efficiency in concrete. Calcium nitrate was selected for microencapsulation, given its low cost and its effect on acceleration of the setting of unhydrated cement. The results indicated that the agitation rate and the temperature had a linear correlation with the microcapsule diameter and the shell wall thickness, respectively. A higher agitation rate resulted in a smaller microcapsule diameter, whereas a higher temperature resulted in a thinner shell wall. The morphology of all microcapsules synthesized was virtually the same throughout the experimental matrix, with the shell walls of all the microcapsules observed having a smooth exterior surface and a rough interior surface. All microcapsules produced were also observed to have a broad particle size distribution. This characteristic was attributed to the type of surfactant used in the process. Analysis of the effects of the microcapsules on the self-healing efficiency of concrete showed that the modulus of elasticity increased after healing for all concrete specimens prepared with self-healing agents. The largest increase in the modulus of elasticity was observed at a microcapsule content of 0.50%. The results also showed that concrete specimens into which microcapsules were incorporated at any concentration had greater surface resistivities than control specimens.

The Carbon-Electrolyte Interface at High Cathodic Voltages

Carbon conductive additives are important constituents of the Li-ion battery cathodes, as the oxidic cathode materials used up to now are suffering from too low electronic conductivities. The next generation, high capacity cathodes are expected to operate at higher voltages than the current state-of-the-art cathodes, which will be challenging for the stability of the carbon conductive additive. It is already know that the anion PF6 -intercalates in graphite at potentials above 4.2 V, and also that decomposition of electrolyte and exfoliation of graphite due to co-intercalation of electrolyte may occur [1,2]. At higher voltages all know electrolytes will oxidize, which in particular cause degradation of high surface area conductive additives, like carbon black [3]. The purpose of this study is to compare different carbon conductive additives with respect to their electrochemical performance at high cathodic voltages. In addition to conventional graphite powder KS6 and the carbon black SuperP Li from TIMCAL, a multilayer graphene powder was included in the study. The latter had a graphitic structure, however with a much broader particle size distribution than the KS6, and a surface area comparable to the carbon black. Materials were characterized with XRD, SEM, Raman and nitrogen adsorption combined with a DFT model for identification of surface area of defect, basal and edge planes [4]. Electrodes from these materials were then cycled galvanostatically in coin cells at various rates, and investigated in 3-electrode cells with cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The electrolytes used were 1M LiPF6in 3:7 EC:DMC or 1:1 EC:DMC. In-situ X-ray diffraction experiments were conducted in order to investigate the intercalation reaction and structural damage to the materials. One electrolyte additive was also investigated. Results show that intercalation of anions occured in both graphitic materials, as expected, but at lower capacities than previously observed for oxidation resistant electrolytes [1]. The intercalation potential of PF6 - was slightly higher for multilayer graphene compared to KS6, and the intercalation also appeared to be more reversible. On the other hand, the multilayer graphene has a much higher irreversible capacity loss in the first cycle, indicating more severe electrolyte oxidation. The first cycle irreversible loss correlates well with the surface area of edge planes of the materials studied, thus the decomposition of electrolyte appear to be correlated to the intercalation process. The most oxidation resistant material, the carbon black, had a very low capacity for intercalated anions, which was attributed to the low crystallinity of this material. All materials showed stable performance upon galvanostatic cycling at 120 mAh/g, and the oxidation reaction was suppressed at the high rates compared to low rates. Apart from electrolyte oxidation products, no changes to the electrodes could be observed by SEM after cycling. In-situ XRD performed for the graphitic materials showed that the most crystalline materials, KS6, was most susceptible to structural damage, and that the damage was mainly introduced in the initial cycle up to 5.0 V. Upon repeated cycling, the capacity for anion intercalation was reduced due to formation of surface films, and for KS6, there was also a strong rate dependence of the intercalation process. References J.A. Seel and J.R. Dahn, J. Electrochem. Soc. 147(3) (2000) p 892.W. Märkle, J.T. Coli, D. Görs, M.E. Spahr, P.Novak, Electrochimica Acta, 55 (2010) p. 2727.J. Syzdek, M. Marcinek, R. Kostecki, J. Power Sources, 245(3) (2014) p. 739.J. P. Olivier, M. Winter, J. Power Sources, (97-8) (2001) p. 151.

Phase structure evolution during mixing and processing of poly(lactic acid)/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL) blends

The morphology of quenched and compression molded samples of poly(lactic acid)/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL) blend prepared by melt mixing was carefully characterized by the method reflecting eventual nonuniformity of the blend structure and/or broad particle size distribution. Determined number and volume average droplet radii for quenched samples were compared with theory, assuming that flow field in a mixing chamber can be substituted by the shear flow with effective shear rate. An increase in droplet radii during compression molding was compared with theory of the coalescence in quiescent state. Using the concept of effective shear flow to describe mixing leads to a strong disagreement between theory and experiment for the critical droplet radius of its breakup, and for the coalescence efficiency. The theory of coalescence in quiescent state provides fair description of an increase in the number average droplet radius during compression molding, but totally fails at prediction of an increase in the volume average droplet radius.

On the Application of Inertial Microfluidics for the Size-Based Separation of Polydisperse Cementitious Particulates

The early‐age performance of concrete is determined by the properties of the cementitious binder and the evolution of its chemical reactions. The chemical reactivity, and to some extent, the composition of cementitious particles can depend on particle size. Therefore, it is valuable to physically separate cementing minerals into well‐defined size classes so that the influences of both particle size and composition on reaction progress can be studied without the confounding effects of a broad particle size distribution. However, conventional particle separation methods (e.g., density fractionation, wet sieving, field-flow extraction, ultrasonification-sedimentation) are time-consuming and cumbersome and result in poor particle yields and size-selectivity, thus, making them unsuitable for processing larger volumes of cementitious powders (on the order of grams). This study applies a novel inertial microfluidics (IMF) based procedure to separate cementitious powders on the basis of their size. Special attention is paid to optimizing operating variables to ensure that particles in a fluid streamline achieve unique equilibrium positions within the device. From such positions, particles can be retrieved as per their size using symmetrical outlet configurations with tuned fluidic resistances. The approach is critically assessed in terms of: (1) its ability to separate cementitious powders into narrow size bins, and therefore its feasibility as a fractionation procedure, and (2) quantitatively relating the operating parameters to the particle yield and size selectivity. The study establishes metrics for assessing the ability of IMF methods to classify minerals and other polydisperse particles on the basis of their size.