Mass Crystallization

Abstract

Mass crystallization is the nucleation and growth of a large number of usually small crystals (~10⁻³–10⁻¹ cm) in one and the same area of space. Examples of it are the formation of metal ingots and kidney stones, the solidification of concrete, and the production of granulated fertilizers, medicines, sugar, and salt. It has been used and studied for hundreds of years. In mass crystallization, special attention is usually given to the purity, size, and shape of the crystals, and the aim is to achieve a maximum strength of intercrystallite bonds (as in concrete and metals) or to obtain a fine-grained, loose, noncaking product (sugar, salt, fertilizers). The fine defects of individual crystals are usually given much less attention than in the growing of single crystals. Total rates of output and other economic considerations are extremely important.