High shear mixing and high-pressure homogenization are both methods of particle size reduction, homogenization and emulsification. Both methods are based primarily on shear force. However, they have differing advantages and one or the other may be better suited based on your application.

What is shear force?

Shear force is any force parallel to a material's surface. In a liquid, this results in friction between fluid particles, that can result in particle size reduction.

In high shear mixing, the shear force is generated through methods like high-speed blades or a rotor stator. In rotor stator, two pieces work together. The stator is stationary, and it sits around the rotating rotor to generate shear force.

High-pressure homogenization creates shear by propelling the sample through a narrow tube. For instance, the Y-shaped diamond interaction chamber splits the liquid sample in two and collides it with itself. The narrow section before collision generates shear. Homogenization also generates additional forces, like the impact from the samples colliding and cavitation.