Mechanical characterization of spray-dried granules by compression stress-relaxation technique - Analysis of compression behavior

Mechanical properties of spray-dried alumina granules have been characteriz ed by applying and continuos wearing compression stress, repeatedly, The mi crostructure of compacts was analysed after each compaction level, in order to identify the main factor governing the compaction mechanism. The compre ssive stress curves were clearly different from those observed after conven tional compression test. It is also shown that the slope of the compressive stress curve strongly depended on dispersant and binder contents. The iden tification of granules based on the analysis of compression behavior is wel l correlated to the breaking and/or deforming behavior of grannies observed by optical microscopy.