This document discusses size reduction and the importance of low particle size. It describes how micronization is the process of reducing materials to low micron and sub-micron sizes. This provides several benefits like higher surface area, tighter particle size distribution, more uniform and spherical shapes, and more predictable performance. The document then discusses different micronization applications in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, foods and how micronized particles provide advantages for properties, reactions, and processing in these industries. It also provides an overview of micronizer equipment and operating principles.

1. Size Reduction and the
Importance of Low Particle Size

2. Who Am I?
Rich Robatzek – Product Manager, Sturtevant Inc.
 Business development manager for the Micronizer® jet
mill product line.
 Extensive background as a Sales Manager contributing to
the growth and profitability of manufacturing companies
 More than 20 years of industrial sales experience,
growing sales territories, leading sales teams and
developing new business.
 Experience in food, pharmaceutical, and consumer good
industries

3. Sturtevant - Perfecting Particle Size
Perfecting Service
Over 60% of our sales are repeat customers
• All operations are under one roof which results in fast, reliable problem solving
• open, full service testing facility to test each customer’s specific material and understand the
grinding characteristics
• An experienced field team is available for startup and field service.
Perfecting Experience
Thousands of installations, 60 years of micronizing
• The original Micronizer® company
• Sturtevant employees average over 20 years of service
• Customer driven innovations including more sizes, varieties and accessories than any other jet
mill manufacturer
Perfecting Reliability
130 years of family operated, US manufacturing
• Sturtevant President W. Sturtevant English, Jr. is the fifth generation of family management
• Made in the USA means Sturtevant’s Center of Excellence and all product knowledge is
domestic and easy to access
• Installations in over 50 countries with every major manufacturer requiring fine grinding

4. Crushing / Grinding Methods
• Impact
• Compression
• Shear
• Attrition

5. What is Micronization?
Micronization is the process of reducing a
solid materials average particle size to low
micron and sub micron particle sizes.

6. Why is Micronization Important
in Industry?
• Control of rate of dissolution and absorption
• Control of chemical reactions.
• Control of physical characteristics

7. Why is Micronization Important
in Industry?
• Control optical properties.
• Product Preparations.
• Efficiency – Your competitive advantage.

8. Benefits of Micronized Particles
• Higher Surface Area
• Tight Particle Size Distribution
• Uniform Size, Spherical Shape
• Better Control Properties of Powders,
• (suspension, dispersion & absorption)
• More Predictable Performance of Powders

9. Total Surface Area vs Particle Diameter
for Spherical Objects
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
TotalSurfaceArea(in2)
Diameter (µm)
0.5 µm = 500 Nm
1 µm = 1,000 Nm
2 µm = 2,000 Nm
5 µm = 5,000 Nm
10 µm = 10,000 Nm

10. Tight Particle Size Distribution
d50 d90d10
Ultra Fines Grit
Micronized PSD
Similar d50
Median
But Lower Mean
(Average)
Less Grit/Less
Ultrafines

11. Uniform Spherical Particles
Wide PSD – Irregular Particles Tight PSD – Uniform Spherical Particles
Before Micronizing (-50 microns) After Micronizing (-10 microns)

12. Principals of Operation

13. Factors of Grindability
• Brittle vs. Resilient
• Crystalline
• Fibrous or Polymeric
• Feed Particle Size
• Typically 75-150 Microns
• Max 800 Microns
• Multi-Element Formulation
• Moisture or Cohesive

14. How Feed Rate Affects Particle
Size Distribution
Cosmetic Powders
Feed: d100 = 416 µm, d90 = 29 µm, d50 = 6.0 µm, d10 = 1.3 µm
Test No. 11: d100 = 15 µm, d90 = 6.0 µm, d50 = 2.7 µm, d10 = 1.0 µm
Test No. 12: d100 = 20 µm, d90 = 7.5 µm, d50 = 3.2 µm, d10 = 1.1 µm

15. Pharmaceuticals
Advantageous for Ease of Cleaning,
No Contamination & Small Batches
• Orals, Injectables, Inhalers, Topicals, etc.
• Antibiotics
• Amino Acids
• Steroids
• Vitamins

16. Pharmaceuticals
Dolasetron
Mesylate
for Nausea
Ibuprophen
Feed d50=25 µm
Test 1 d50=1.5 µm
Test 2 d50=2.1 µm

17. Advantageous for High Surface Area
• Greater Coverage, Consistent Color in Paints
• TiO2, Carbon Black, Iron Oxide
• Finer than hammer mill
• No oversize grit
• Very smooth products
Pigment

18. Iron Oxide Pigment

19. Cosmetics
Advantageous for Silky Texture, No Heat
• Eye Shadow, Blush, Lipstick, Eye Liners
• Finer than hammer mill
• No oversize grit
• Very smooth products

20. Cosmetic Powder
Feed: d90 = 17.2 µm, d50 = 5.84 µm, d10 = 1.56 µm
Test 1: d90 = 7.17 µm, d50 = 3.41 µm, d10 = 1.17 µm

21. Agricultural Chemicals
Advantageous for Heat Sensitive Powders
• Herbicides, Pesticides, Insecticides, Fungicides
• No temperature rise
• Powder dissolves easily
• No spray nozzle clog

22. Agricultural Chemicals
Herbicide used in the Agricultural Industry
Feed: d100 = 665 µm, d90 = 81.6 µm, d50 = 8.51 µm, d10 = 1.43 µm
Test 1: d100 = 21.1 µm,d90 = 8.59 µm, d50 = 2.90 µm, d10 = 0.56 µm

23. Ceramics
Advantageous for Abrasive Powders
• No contamination in electronics & dental implants
• Aluminum Oxide, Zirconium Oxide, Glass
• No moving parts
• Ceramic wear liners
• No lubrication
• No oversize grit

24. Foods & Additives
Advantageous for Ease of Cleaning, No
Contamination & No Heat
• Sugar/Sweeteners/Salts (instant soups, sodas)
• Proteins (baby formulas)
• Gelatin/Sodium Cellulose (thickeners)

25. 11 Micronizer Sizes

26. Fineness Vs Energy
Equipment Product HP lb/hr lb/hr per HP
Jaw Crusher 1/2”- 2” 10 6K – 20K 600-2000
Pin Mill 45-75 µm 20 2K – 4K 100-200
ACM 20-45 µm 35 200 – 2K 6-60
Jet Mill 0-20 µm 40 10 – 100 0.25-2.5

27. Production System
1
2
3
1) Feeder
2) Micronizer®
3) Bag House
4) Product Collector
4
Up to 42” diameter
6,000 lbs/hr

28. Q&A
Rich Robatzek
Micronizer® Product Manager
Office: 978-829-1418
Cell: 617-615-7176
rrobatzek@sturtevantinc.com
Micronizer® is a registered trademark of Sturtevant Inc.

29. Perfecting Particle Size since 1883