Mechanical properties of spray-dried alumina granules have been characterized by applying and continuos wearing compression stress, repeatedly. The microstructure of compacts was analysed after each compaction level, in order to identify the main factor governing the compaction mechanism. The compressive stress curves were clearly different from those observed after conventional compression test. It is also shown that the slope of the compressive stress curve strongly depended on dispersant and binder contents. The identification of granules based on the analysis of compression behavior is well correlated to the breaking and/or deforming behavior of granules observed by optical microscopy.
