Advanced powder analysis by GranuHeap, GranuDrum and GranuPack

Chemical analysis Characterization of materials Problem solving
More than 140 people
More than 140 people at your service
5200 m² laboratory
5200 m² laboratory + 99% of services are provided in-house
Accredited laboratory
Accredited laboratory COFRAC ISO 17025

You would like to perform advanced powder analysis using GranuHeap, GranuDrum and GranuPack

Optimize your powder processes with GranuHeap, GranuDrum and GranuPack

Powder handling is a strategic challenge in many industrial sectors: pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, energy, metallurgy, additive manufacturing, defense, and more.

Poor flow, unstable compaction, or batch-to-batch variability can directly impact product quality, productivity, and regulatory compliance.

At the FILAB laboratory, we perform advanced powder analysis using GranuHeap, GranuDrum, and GranuPack instruments.
The goal is to precisely characterize powder behavior to secure your processes and accelerate your development.

Our advanced powder analysis techniques

GranuHeap: precise measurement of static fluidity

The GranuHeap allows for automatic and highly reproducible measurement of the angle of repose.

What we analyze:

  • Angle of repose
  • Pile evolution
  • Flowability indicators

Industrial applications:

GranuDrum: dynamic behavior and cohesion of powders

The GranuDrum analyzes powder under controlled rotation to determine:

  • Dynamic cohesion
  • Dynamic angle
  • Flow rate index
  • Sensitivity to operating conditions

Benefits:

Ideal for simulating conditions similar to industrial processes (mixing, conveying, additive manufacturing).

Sectors concerned:

  • Pharmaceuticals (compression, filling)
  • Metal additive manufacturing
  • Cosmetics (loose powders, pigments)
  • Technical materials

GranuPack: density and compaction capacity

The GranuPack measures:

This data is essential for:

  • Container sizing
  • Transport optimization
  • Tablet compression
  • Powder stability during storage

Why characterize the behavior of powders?

The properties of a powder are not limited to its granulometry. Two powders with the same particle size distribution can exhibit completely different behaviors in production.

Critical parameters to control:

Fluidity and resting angle

Flow dynamics

Sensitivity to humidity or vibrations

Interparticle cohesion

Apparent density and packed density

These characteristics directly influence:

Filling molds or capsules

The homogeneity of the mixtures

Repeatability in additive manufacturing

Compression or sintering processes

The stability of batches in storage

The benefits for manufacturers of advanced powder analysis

Reduction of production downtime

Improved repeatability

Securing product performance

Supplier decision support

Acceleration of development phases

Instruments for the analysis of powders :

  • GranuFlow: measurement of flow through orifices, a key indicator of powder flowability.
  • GranuCharge: measurement of the electrostatic properties of metal powders.

Our additional services

GranuDrum measurement is part of a comprehensive material characterization strategy. The results can be correlated with:

Chemical composition analysis of metallic powders using ICP-AES, ICP-MS and/or using C/S, O/N, and H elemental analyzers

Density measurements in accordance with the ASTM B527 and ISO 3953 standards

Granulometric analysis using laser granulometry in accordance with the ISO 13320 standard

Flowability testing in accordance with the ASTM B213, ISO 4490 and ASTM B964 standards

SEM FEG EDX or Optical Microscope morphological analysis

This comprehensive approach helps to identify the root causes of a flow or spreading problem, and to guide corrective actions tailored to your process.

Our FAQ

How to get a quote from FILAB?

To obtain a quote, you can contact our team via our contact form, by phone, or by email.

Simply tell us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, applicable standards, urgency, quantity of samples, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours.

What is the typical duration of the analysis?

Turnaround times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project.

However, FILAB is committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your industrial constraints and urgent needs.

What is the difference between GranuHeap, GranuDrum and GranuPack?

The three instruments are complementary:

  • GranuHeap: measures static fluidity via the angle of repose.
  • GranuDrum: characterizes cohesion and dynamic rotational behavior.
  • GranuPack: analyzes bulk density, packed density, and compressibility.

By combining these three approaches, it is possible to obtain a comprehensive view of a powder's behavior.

In what situations should GranuHeap be used?

The GranuHeap is particularly well-suited for:

  • Routine quality control
  • Supplier comparison
  • Rapid flowability assessment
  • Raw material qualification

It is ideal for detecting behavioral drift between batches.

Can these results be correlated with production performance?

Yes. Expert data interpretation allows us to link the measured parameters to:

  • Line flow difficulties
  • Compaction defects
  • Mass variations
  • Homogeneity problems

At the Filab laboratory, analysis goes beyond measurement: it is contextualized within your process.

The filab advantages
A highly qualified team
A highly qualified team
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
(Staves available on www.cofrac.com - Accreditation number: 1-1793)
A complete analytical facility of 5,200m²
A complete analytical facility of 5,200m²
Tailor-made support
Tailor-made support
Video debriefing available with the expert
Video debriefing available with the expert
Anaïs DECAUX Customer Support Manager
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