The physical properties of a fertilizer are determined by its chemical composition and how it is produced. The most important product properties for handling, storage and spreading are:
ignificant water uptake has undesirable consequences for fertilizer products:
Particles gradually become soft and sticky
Particles increase in volume
Particles start to crack
Bleaching, change of colour
Reduced particle strength
Caking tendency increases
Formation of dust and fines increases
Warehouse floors become damp and slippery
Stabilised straight ammonium nitrate loses thermostability
Quality of spreading can be affected
Clogging of equipment
Increased off-spec