The vibratory consolidation of particle size fractions of powders

The use of controlled sinusoidal vibration as a means of consolidating packings of lactose within small containers has been examined. Vertical vibration was found significantly more effective and reproducible than horizontal vibration in terms of the degree of consolidation achieved. An optimum frequency range was identified within which the densification was greatest, and this range was largely independent of particle size for particle size fractions of mean volume diameters ranging from 15.6 to 155 micrometers. The consolidation increased with increasing vibration acceleration up to a level beyond which no further decrease in porosity resulted. Typical effective vibration conditions were characterized by amplitudes of an order of magnitude similar to the particle sizes studied. For particle size fractions of mean diameters 17.8, 37.5 and 80.8 micrometers, there is evidence that an optimum particle size range exists, within which energy requirements for consolidation are at a minimum.