Applicability of statistical process control for surface modification plant and properties of coated calcite

Due to its low surface energy, easy dispersion, high homogeneity and whiteness, coated (modified) calcite has increasingly been used in many industries, particularly in the plastics. The demand for this product will most likely increase in the years to come. Surface modification of calcite with a fatty acid would lead to a great expansion of industrial applications. The color values of coated calcite products are the first quality parameter. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the variations in the color characteristics of the coated calcite products. It is well known that statistical process control (SPC) techniques have been widely used in the many industries. In the present study, the surface of micronized calcite was coated with stearic acid by a pin mill. X-R control graphics and process capability index were applied for monitoring variations in quality control based on color parameters (L*, a* and b*) for the pin mill plant. In addition, active ratio, particle size distribution, whiteness parameters, BET, FTIR, TGA-DTA and SEM were then determined on a coated calcite sample. The results show that the pin mill plant seems under control and the coating technology is very effective in modifying the surface of micronized calcite products.