Wetting

Wetting is the physical process by which a liquid comes into contact with a solid surface and spreads over it. The contact surfaces between the liquid and the solid are the boundary surfaces.

The moistening of powdery solids very often takes place in amixon® mixers.

The degree of wetting depends on the surface or boundary surface tension of the components.If the solid is hydrophobic (repels liquid) or hydrophilic (absorbs liquid).

The above-mentioned phenomena are of great importance in the context of powder mixing technology. The components of a powder mixture can have contrasting wetting properties. This can, for example, favour or hinder the production of granules. In any case, the order in which the components are introduced into the batch mixer is of great importance. Mixing with the ‘MultiStep’ process.

Wetting processes are relevant for powder moistening, powder agglomeration and powder drying.