Particulate Composite Mixing Processes

ABSTRACT: Triton Systems proposes to develop a novel computational model for complex particulate composite mixing processes and the resultant microstructures in high shear environments. Control of mixing of granular and particulate composites (e.g., particles in a polymer matrix) to achieve homogeneous mixtures is essential in many important functional material systems and applications, including energetic materials, vast array of functional filled-polymer resin systems and pharmaceuticals etc. The capability to predict homogeneity and microstructure as a function of mixing parameters can provide a powerful process control tool. It can also significantly simplify and accelerate the development of new formulations of particulate composites. By replacing expensive trial-and-error based methods that are used currently, such predictive capability, particularly when implemented using desktop computers, will lead to significant savings in development time, materials and other costs in many different industries with widespread impact on military and commercial applications. BENEFIT: There are many processes in the military and industry that require mixing and blending of particles into a carrier matrix. Examples of include the pharmaceutical, food, and plastics industries. Mixing and creating an even distribution of the powder into a matrix is critical to the proper processing of these materials. The ability to predictably and consistently achieve homogeneous mixing by controlling mixing parameters is of high importance. Typically this is done by trial-and-error to find the proper mixing parameters for the system. This model that will be developed will save money by reducing the time needed to develop the mixing/blending procedures and parameters.