New Indices to Characterize Powder Flow Based on Their Avalanching Behavior

Abstract

Use of powder avalanches in the study of flow properties of pharmaceutical excipients has yet to be popularized even though it is rather simple to use and yields comparatively reliable results. Commonly employed flow assessment methods include compressibility studies and shear cell and repose angle measurements. Though widely accepted, these methods are not without limitations and inadequacies. More often than not, experimental and environmental conditions lead to a considerable amount of variability in the results obtained. The primary objective of this current work is to propose two new indices, avalanche flow index (AFI) and cohesive interaction index (CoI) based on the avalanche flow behaviors of powders. Not only were these two indices able to describe the ease of powder flow but they also provided a simpler means of quantifying the extent of cohesive interactions within the powder mass without elaborate mathematical functions.