Fractal Dimensions in Data Space; New descriptors for fineparticle systems

Abstract Fractal dimensions in data space are being used to describe fineparticle systems. The relationship between these new parametric descriptions of fineparticle systems and a more classical description of such system using the classical hyperbolic function is discussed. It is shown that fractal dimensions in data space are useful for presenting data for such diverse systems as pigment clusters in composite materials, avalanching powder systems, ballistically fractured material and pore size distribution of porous bodies as determined by mercury intrusion methods. In particular new data is presented on the usefulness of fractal dimensions for describing the flow properties of powders with and without silica flow agents.