Relic and droplet sizes produced by electrostatic atomisation of ceramic suspensions

Several alumina suspensions were subjected to electrostatic atomisation at a constant applied voltage and constant flow rate. Various spray modes were observed and the sizes of droplets produced from each suspension were measured using laser diffraction. The sizes of relics obtained by depositing these droplets on a silicone release paper substrate were measured using optical microscopy. Using volume equivalence the relic sizes were used to calculate the size of the droplets, thus allowing a comparison with the laser diffraction results. The calculated and measured droplet distributions showed excellent agreement. PACS 81.05.Je; 81.20.Ev; 81.20.Rg; 47.27.Wg; 47.85.Np