Suspensions of powders in liquids are involved in many commercial processes and products. The preparation of a dispersion (slurry) require equipment and chemicals to facilitate the steps of dispersion, for example, wetting the external surface of the particles, breaking up clumps, and preventing reagglomeration.

Glass polishing is a chemical mechanical process. When the particles move away from the glass surface after the polishing/collision, the uncoated particle surface from the collision area would adsorb dispersant from solution, where the adsorption equilibrium is affected by the contact process as shear rate, pressure, and temperature in the contact region change significantly during the abrasive particle and glass surface collision.

Highly sophisticated instruments are available to measure particle-particle and particle-dispersant interactions. We have been studying the three stages of dispersing a powder in a liquid: wetting the powder into the liquid, deagglomerating the wetted clumps, and preventing reagglomeration. As well as the use of additives (dispersants) to prevent reagglomeration.

Years of research and development work have allowed us to develop surfacing and polishing products with superior performance and functionality with respect to suspension and dispersion, slurry re-circulation and re-dispersion, glass removal rate, polishing cycle time, longevity, and surface finish.

All of our polishing products are engineered for high material removal rate and exceptional cleanability, while producing low to sub-angstrom surface finishes.

Research and Development in Particle Science