A SUPERIOR APPROACH TO INDEXES IN DETERMINING MIXTURE SEGREGATION

In the forties, the index approach to measure segregation for powder m ixtures was introduced. Since that time, several researchers have intr oduced new indices in an effort to improve this approach continually f or the determination of mixture segregation. However, there are two ma jor drawbacks of all current indices that make them unattractive as me asures of segregation. First, these indices can vary for reasons other than segregation. The second drawback is the inability to determine i f the calculated values of these indices are significant while control ling the probability of making incorrect conclusions. In this article a measure of segregation is proposed that is not subject to these limi tations. In addition, a theoretical evaluation is given of current ind ices and the proposed approach. The conclusions of this evaluation are illustrated and confirmed by a Monte Carlo simulation study.