FT4 Powder Rheometer®
Universal powder flow tester – sensitive, reliable and process relevant analysis
- Simulate powder processing conditions to ensure process relevant data
- Multi-faceted powder characterization – assess dynamic flow, bulk and shear properties
- Unparalleled sensitivity
- Fully automated test programs and data analysis
The FT4 Powder Rheometer® – a universal powder tester for measuring powder flow properties and powder behavior.
The FT4 was designed with one purpose in mind – to characterize the rheology, or flow properties, of powders. This remains a primary function today, but the instrument, accessories and methodologies have been continuously developed to the point where the FT4 is now considered a universal powder flow tester.
Four testing methodologies in one instrument:
- Unique Dynamic Flow
- Fully Automated Shear Cell (in accordance with ASTM Standard D7891)
- Bulk Properties
- Process Variables
Specifications
SYSTEM:
FT4 Powder Rheometer intended for use in a laboratory
environment for measuring the rheological properties of
powders, pastes and semi-solids.
Complies with the following EMC specifications and ASTM
International standards:
- EN61000-3-2:2001
- EN61000-3-3: 1995
- EN61326: 1997 + A2:2001
- ASTM D7891
Certificates of conformity available on request.
PERFORMANCE:
Force
- +/- 50N maximum
- 0.0001N resolution
- +/- 900mNm resolution
Torque
- 900mNm maximum
- 0.002mNm resolution
Vertical travel
- 185mm
Rotor speed
- 120 rpm maximum
Axial speed
- 30 mm/sec maximum
Residual energy level in air
- < 2mJ
CONSTRUCTION:
Working zone:
- 316 stainless steel
Contact parts:
- 316 stainless steel
- Borosilicate glass
- Delrin and Peek plastics
DIMENSIONS:
Main instrument
- 306 x 306 x 760mm high
WEIGHTS:
- Main instrument: 22kg net
POWER REQUIREMENTS:
- Supply voltage range: 90 to 264VAC
- Input current range: 1.6A at 120VAC
0.8A at 230VAC - Input frequency range: 47Hz to 63Hz
- Minimum fault protection limit: 30mA
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
- Humidity range 20-80% non-condensing
- Temperature range (operating) 10˚C to 40˚C
- Temperature range (storage) 0˚C to 50˚C
VESSELS:
Precision bore, borosilicate glass tube.
Standard sizes:
- 25mm x 10ml Split Vessel
- 25mm x 25ml Split Vessel
- 25mm x 35ml Vessel
- 50mm x 85ml Split Vessel
- 50mm x 160ml Split Vessel
- 50mm x 260ml Vessel
- 62mm x 137ml Split Vessel
- 62mm x 240ml Split Vessel
- 62mm x 400ml Vessel
BLADES:
Hardened stainless steel.
Standard sizes:
- 23.5mm diameter x 6mm wide
- 48.0mm diameter x 10mm wide
- 60.0mm diameter x 10mm wide
CALIBRATION KIT:
- Force, torque, height, carriage velocity and spindle speed are
configured for calibration. - Calibration fixtures, weights and height gauges are supplied as part of the
calibration kit. - A calibration log is automatically kept of the current and all
previous calibrations.
ACCESSORIES:
- 25mm Accessories Kit
- 50mm Accessories Kit
- 62mm Accessories Kit
Aeration Control Kit - 24mm Shear Cell
48mm Shear Cell - 24mm Wall Friction Kit
- 48mm Wall Friction Kit
- 1ml Shear Cell
Technology
The FT4 employs unique technology for measuring the resistance of the powder to flow, whilst the powder is in motion. A precision ‘blade’ is rotated and moved downwards through the powder to establish a precise flow pattern. This causes many thousands of particles to interact, or flow relative to one another, and the resistance experienced by the blade represents the difficulty of this relative particle movement, or the bulk flow properties.
Excellent reproducibility is achieved by moving the blade in a precise and reliable way. The advanced control systems of the FT4 accurately set the rotational and vertical speeds of the blade, which defines the Helix Angle and Tip Speed.
Why are powders complex?
Powders are complex materials. Often perceived as just a collection of particles, they are in fact a complex mixture of solids, liquids and gases. They comprise of solids in the form of particles; gas, usually in the form of air between the particles; and water, either on the surface of the particle or within its structure. The behavioral characteristics of these unique materials are difficult to model and predict from first principles.
Powders exhibit many behavioral characteristics, which determine how they perform during processing and in final application. These characteristics are often independent of one another, so it is important to understand and to be able to measure the influence of each, if a powder is going to be fully characterized.
The nature of all processing environments is such that a range of conditions is unavoidable, and the powder being processed will be handled under different stress regimes. To fully predict the powder’s in-process performance, it is essential to measure and quantify how it responds to each of these external variables.
Dynamic methodology
The FT4 is a truly universal powder tester, with four categories of methodologies, defined as Bulk, Dynamic Flow, Shear and Process.
Accessories
Quote Accessories
Unique Blade Technology
Unique Blade Technology
The FT4 measures the resistance that a powder exerts on twisted blade, as it forces its way through the sample. This resistance is expressed as “Flow Energy”, calculated from direct measurements of torque and force.
Range of Vessel Sizes
Range of Vessel Sizes
25mm, 50mm and 62mm vessel kits to suit the materials being evaluated, plus a 1ml Shear Cell kit for testing scarce, valuable or hazardous powders.
Aeration Control Unit
Aeration Control Unit
The Aeration Control Unit provides an accurately controlled flow of air to the base of the vessel containing the powder. The unit is fully automated and software controlled, capable of delivering a wide air velocity range, ensuring suitability for a diverse range of materials.
Shear Cell and Wall Friction
Shear Cell and Wall Friction
Shear Cell and Wall Friction Kits can be attached to the FT4 to determine shear properties of a powder, including Unconfined Yield Strength and Flow Function, and the Wall Friction Angle associated with a given material of constructions (in accordance with ASTM D7891). Shear and wall friction properties can be used to determine critical hopper geometries using the Hopper Design function of the FT4 Data Analysis software.
Vented Piston
Vented Piston
The vented piston is used to be apply a consolidating stress to a powder sample to quantify properties such as Compressibility and Permeability in order to understand the effects of storage and handling.
Cosmetic Compact Testing Kit
Cosmetic Compact Testing Kit
The Compact Hardness and Compact Payoff accessories can be used to evaluate the quality of cosmetic powder compacts. Both accessories can be used with three sizes of compact and utilize a novel vacuum base removing the need for complex and intrusive mechanical fixings.
Supplies & Consumables
Supplies & Consumables
Applications
The FT4 has application in all powder processing industries, including Pharmaceuticals, Fine Chemicals, Food, Cosmetics, Toners, Metals, Ceramics, Plastics, Powder Coatings, Cements and Additive Manufacturing.
Applications extend to:
- Die / Capsule Filling
- Humidity Effects
- Attrition
- Wall Friction & Adhesion
- Tablet Compression
- Electrostatic Charge
- Dry Powder Inhalers
- Hopper Design
- Hopper Flow
- Mixing / Blending
- Caking
- Compact Hardness & Payoff
- Wet Granulation End Point & Scale Up
- Feeding
- Milling
- Vacuum Filling
- Flow Additive Selection & Optimization
- Segregation
- Conveying
- Agglomeration
FT4 Powder Rheometer Resources
Application Notes & Videos
- Mechanism of powder flow video
- Profitable Powder Processing: Enhancing Efficiency with the FT4 Powder Rheometer®
Standard Methods
Learn more about Powder Flow
FT4 Powder Rheometer Photo Gallery
