Particle size analysis lab is routinely required by industries as a critical control parameter for raw materials, manufacturing processes, and finished products. To fulfil this requirement of our esteemed customers, like you, we have installed the latest; Laser Diffraction based Particle Size Analyzer, the Malvern Mastersizer 3000.

The System is equipped with both wet and dry mode accessories allowing the analysis of both powders and liquid dispersion. This new system has a large linear range of measurement from 10 nanometers to 3.5 millimeters allowing particle size measurements of diverse samples ranging from nanomaterials, right up to, coarse systems like pharmaceutical tablet granules.

Importance of Particle Analysis Lab

Particle size and particle size distribution are amongst the most important physical properties of a particulate system, as particle size has a direct effect on a number of material properties, some of these are listed below –
• Dissolution rate and bioavailability of pharmaceutical products
• Chemical stability of reactive or hygroscopic materials
• Physical stability of suspension and emulsions in pharmaceuticals, pigments, and paints • Flow properties of the powder and granules in manufacturing processes
• Efficacy of the drug delivery system like inhalers
• Reactivity of chemicals and catalyst
• Texture and feel of food products, creams, ointments, cosmetics
• The appearance of powder coatings and inks
• Viscosity, especially in the case of sprays
• Packing density and porosity in ceramic

Common Techniques Used in the Particle Size Analysis Lab

Depending on the particle size range and the nature of data required (size and/or shape and/or surface characteristics) various techniques are available for the measurement of particle size. Some of the main techniques are listed below –
1. Mechanical Dry or Wet Sieving
2. Optical Microscopy
3. Sedimentation Rate – using Andreasen apparatus
4. Coulter Counter, which measures particle volume
5. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) – mostly used for the submicrometer size range
6. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
7. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
8. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
9. Automated imaging
10. Laser Diffraction – the principle used in Malvern Mastersizier 3000

Malvern Mastersizer based on Laser Diffraction is the Gold Standard for Particle Analysis Labs

Laser Diffraction in general and the Malvern Mastersizer range of particle size analyzer, in particular, are recognized as the industry gold standard for particle size analysis labs. They have gained the reputation because of the excellent accuracy and repeatability and reproducibility offered by the system as can be seen summarised in the table below.

	Malvern Mastersizer MS3000 Performance Summary
Size range	0.01-3500μm
Accuracy	Better than 1%
Repeatability	Better than 0.5%
Reproducibility	Better than 1%
Angular range	0.015-144°
The red light source	Max. 5mW He-Ne, 632.8nm
Blue light source	Max. 10mW LED, 470nm

Laser diffraction is accepted and prescribed by various Pharmacopoeias, ASTM, DIN, ISO and numerous other national and international standard methods for particle size measurements. It finds applications in diverse industries ranging from chemicals, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, food products, minerals, ores, and cement et cetera.

How much time is needed for particle size analysis?

Most particle size analysis can be completed within a couple of hours, add to this the time required for reporting and review of the results, reports are issued within 2 days after receiving the samples in the particle size analysis lab