7. Experimental measurement of granule mechanical strength

The approach presented in the previous paragraphs makes it possible to determine the order of magnitude of the strength forces of wet granules. The main merit of the models presented here is the prediction of the influence of certain parameters on the mechanical strength of granules. However, these models are far from containing all the parameters that influence the strength of agglomerates. Moreover, the forces described by this approach correspond to the granules' tensile strength. However, during granulation, it is mainly the compressive strength of the granules that governs fragmentation phenomena. Finally, this approach is unsuitable for describing the resistance of solid bridges, which are too complex to model. These forces depend not only on the quantity of solute, but also on the operating conditions applied during binder solidification.

This means that...