Bulk and Tapped Density

Introduction to Bulk and Tapped Density

The bulk density of a material is the ratio of the mass to the volume (including the
interparticulate void volume) of an untapped powder sample.

The tapped density is obtained by mechanically tapping a graduated cylinder

containing the sample until little further volume change is observed.

Instrument and measuring principle

The bulk density is given in g/ml. The bulk density depends on both the density of the powder
particles and on the arrangement of the powder particles. The bulk density is influenced by the
preparation, treatment and storage of the sample material. A method for measuring the bulk and
tapped density of powders is described in the European Pharmacopoeia chapter 2.9.34.

More about the methods

Bulk method 1: The bulk density is obtained by adding a known mass of powder to a graduated
cylinder. The density is calculated as mass/volume.

Tapped method 1:The tapped density is obtained by mechanically tapping a graduated cylinder
containing the sample until little further volume change is observed. The tapping can be
performed using different methods. The tapped density is calculated as mass divided by the final
volume of the powder. The interparticulate interactions that influence the bulking properties of a
powder are also the interactions that interfere with powder flow. It is therefore possible to gain
information about the relative importance of these interactions in a given powder by comparing
the bulk and tapped densities, and such a comparison can be used to index the ability of the
powder to flow.

The compressibility index and Hausner ratio are measures of the products ability to settle, and
permit an assessment of the relative importance of interparticulate interactions. In a free-flowing
powder these interactions are less significant and the bulk and tapped densities will be closer in
value. For poorly flowing materials, there are greater interparticulate interactions and a greater
difference between the bulk and tapped densities will be observed. The differences are reflected
in the compressibility index and Hausner ratio.

Compressibility index:

Hausner ratio:

V0 = unsettled apparent volume (bulk volume) Vf = final tapped volume

As seen in the table below the copresibility index and Haussner ratios can be used to estimate
the flow characteristics of the powder.

Compressibility index (per Flow character Hausner ratio

cent)

1-10 Excellent 1.00-1.11

11-15 Good 1.12-1.18

16-20 Fair 1.19-1.25

21-25 Passable 1.26-1.34

26-31 Poor 1.35-1.45

32-37 Very poor 1.46-1.59

> 38 Very, very poor > 1.60

(1) Carr RL. Evaluating flow properties of solids. Chem Eng 1965; 72:163-168.