---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Rheological analysis of powders in the laboratory"
description: "You want to carry out a rheological analysis of powders What is powder rheology? Powder rheology is the study of the mechanical behaviour and flow properties of materials in powder form. Unlike liquids or solids, powders are made up of..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/rheological-analysis-laboratory-polymer-rheology/rheological-analysis-of-powders-in-the-laboratory/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_66f159dfc1349"]
timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:33:48Z"
published: "2024-09-23T12:06:55Z"
language: "en"
author: "bwa"
---

# Rheological analysis of powders in the laboratory

## You want to carry out a rheological analysis of powders

### What is powder rheology?

**Powder rheology** is the study of the mechanical behaviour and flow properties of materials in powder form. Unlike liquids or solids, powders are made up of individual solid particles, and their behaviour depends on a number of factors such as the size of the particles, their shape, their density and the interactions between them (adhesion forces, friction, etc.).

### Why carry out a rheological analysis of powders?

Powder rheology is an essential analysis in many industries such as the [pharmaceutical](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/analysis-industry-pharmaceuticals.md), food, cosmetics and chemical [industries](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/analysis-industry-pharmaceuticals.md), where powdered materials need to be handled, transported or processed efficiently. It is used to optimise processes such as mixing, storage, transport and compression.

### Quels sont les paramètres mesurés lors d'une analyse rhéologique de poudres ?

  **Bulk flow**: the ability of a powder to flow under its own weight, influenced by the cohesion between particles and moisture. Powders that are too cohesive risk becoming blocked in pipes or hoppers. **Apparent density and compact density**: [apparent density](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization/laboratory-analysis-of-bulk-density/) is the density of a powder when it is simply poured into a container. Compact density is measured after compression. The difference between these two values gives an indication of the powder's compressibility. **Angle of repose**: this is the maximum angle that a pile of powder can form with the horizontal before the powder starts to flow. A low angle indicates good flowability, while a high angle suggests more cohesive behaviour that is difficult to handle. **Internal friction**: the resistance to flow between the particles themselves. This is a key parameter for understanding the behaviour of a powder during transport or processing.  ![](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rheologie-poudres-1024x819.png)
## The FILAB laboratory can help you with the rheological analysis of powders

### Why choose FILAB?

The FILAB laboratory offers [manufacturers](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity.md) in all sectors high-level human skills and state-of-the-art [analytical equipment](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) to provide them with services that meet their compliance criteria while complying with regulatory standards.

Understanding rheology helps to**develop products**with the specific**textures**and **flow properties**required to meet consumer expectations. In this way, rheological analysis in the laboratory plays a role in quality control, innovation and the resolution of technical problems.

## Our technical resources for powder rheology

[Hall or Carney cone](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/flowability-test-hall-or-carney-cone-in-laboratory.md)

Viscometer

Rheometer

Planar rheometer

## our additional powder analysis services

[Particle size analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-granulometric-analysis.md)

Study of polymorphism

[Search for elemental impurities](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/expertise/laboratoire-analyse-rheologique/analyse-rheologique-poudres.md) in pharmaceutical powders[(ICHQ3D context](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/analysis-ich-q3d-context.md))

Determination of water content by [Karl Fischer analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-karl-fischer-water-content.md)

Determining thixotropy recovery

[Analysis of the chemical composition](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md) of powders

Physico-chemical studies: [particle size](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/expertise/laboratoire-analyse-rheologique/analyses-morphologiques-particules.md) distribution, [flowability](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-analyse-caracterisation-poudre/analyse-norme-iso-3953.md), morphology, porosity, etc.

Problem solving: odour, colour change, degradation, etc.

Determining the shear rate

Determining [elasticity](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/plastics-processing-polymers/laboratory-measurement-of-elasticity-on-polymers.md) under flow conditions