Recently published and now available for download on the Malvern
Instruments website, 'Method development for laser diffraction particle size
analysis' by diffraction specialist Dr Anne Virden provides practical guidance
on developing robust analytical methods.
Her article describes the process with reference to ISO13320 (2009), the
international standard for laser diffraction particle size analysis, and other
guidance documents.
Successful method development depends on rigorous and systematic examination
of all the factors known to influence results, including sampling,
dispersion/sample prep and measurement conditions. 'Method development for laser
diffraction particle size analysis' considers each of these issues in turn,
helping answer questions such as: whether to measure wet or dry; what dispersant
to use; are the dispersion conditions breaking the particles of interest; and
how to check the developed method is a good one.
Over the last decade considerable progress has been made in the area of
method development, by Malvern and others. The latest version of ISO13320
reflects this and includes a substantial amount of advice. At Malvern a major
focus is to grow and disseminate the information available, through education
and software, such that laser diffraction can be used successfully for an ever
increasing variety of applications. Read Anne Virden's paper at http://bit.ly/MALmethoddev