Observation of the granule packing structure using a confocal laser-scanning microscope

A new method was developed to examine the change in internal structure of a granule compact for the initial stage of compaction. Using a resin of high refractive index mixed with a fluorescent reagent, the internal structure of alumina granule compact was clearly observed three dimensionally by a confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM). This method has a high potential to investigate the granule deformation process in the initial stage.