Spheronization is the process where extrudates (the output from an extruder) are shaped into small rounded or spherical granules. In practice these usually vary in size from 0.4 to about 3.0 mm. The use of these spheroids can be relevant for a wide variety of industries.
Why Consider Spheronization?
The products produced from this process can be useful in several ways:
- Product performance and functionality can be improved or changed to meet a wide range of requirements
- Plant procedures can be simplified, to reduce costs or enhance security of operation
The main uses and advantages of spheronization are:
- Agglomerates of material with a uniform and controlled size
- Producing small particles with a high surface area to volume ratio
- The optimization of flow characteristics
- Producing the optimum shape for coating
- To facilitate the mixing of non-compatible products
- To improve the appearance of powder or granulated materials
- To improve the ability to reproduce the same physical properties of packing beds and columns
- To improve the hardness and friability of granules
- To increase the density of granules
- To improve accuracy in dosage control\To improve the high speed handling of materials
- To remove dust hazard
- To simplify the handling of difficult material
- To simplify and increase speed of processing
Download Dr Steve Robinson’s Brief Non-Technical Guide to Spheronization here.