To determine the particle size distribution of the solid part of a ceramic suspension, several methods can generally be used.

The most precise method is through the use of a laser granulometer, which allows for determining the entire particle size distribution of the solid particles in suspension, meaning the fraction of particles of a suspension that fall within a specific size range. Laser granulometers are used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food processing, chemicals, and, of course, ceramics.

In the interest of simplification, the operation of the machine can be summarized as follows:

1. A small fraction of the suspension containing particles to be analyzed is dispersed in water and kept in constant uniform agitation to prevent possible reaggregation.

2. A monochromatic laser beam is focused on the suspension to be analyzed.

3. The dispersed particles interact with the laser light, scattering it in all directions with an intensity and angle that depends on their size. Specifically, the smaller the particles, the greater the angle at which the light is scattered.

4. The machine’s detectors capture the light scattered at specific angles. The intensity of the light scattered at each angle is analyzed using a mathematical model to determine the particle size distribution.

5. Within a few minutes, the entire particle size distribution of the analyzed suspension is obtained.