ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the effect of particle shape on the packing density and presents a method for characterizing particle shape from the packing density. The equation of state for rigid particles of arbitrary shape, available in the statistical thermodynamics, is applied to characterize particle shape from the packing density. Shape characterization is one of the major research subjects in particulate science and technology. It is important not only for the specification itself, but also for elucidating the relationship of the physical and chemical properties of a single particle and/or the assembly. Few theoretical relationships have been derived between the shape characteristics and the physical/chemical properties of powders. The chapter outlines the equation of state for rigid particles of arbitrary shape derived from the scaled particle theory in the statistical thermodynamics. The effect of particle shape on the packing density is discussed from the equation of state for rigid molecular particles in the statistical thermodynamics.