Caking

Caking refers to the process by which a substance, typically a powdery or granular material, solidifies into a hard, compacted mass. This happens due to various factors, including moisture absorption, temperature fluctuations, pressure, and the presence of binding agents. It often leads to a reduction in the material's flowability and can make it difficult to handle, transport, or utilize. The degree of caking can vary depending on the material's composition, particle size, and the environmental conditions it's exposed to. Understanding and controlling the caking process is crucial in industries dealing with powders and granules to maintain product quality and efficiency.

Caking meaning with examples

• The salt in the shaker had started caking due to the humid air, making it difficult to pour onto my food. This meant I had to take apart the whole shaker to get the flow started again. The manufacturer needs to make sure the lids are airtight. It can sometimes be annoying that salt and sugar are stored in humid places.
• After the rain, the soil in the garden had begun to cake around the roots of the plants, preventing proper aeration and water absorption. I took the garden hoe to loosen the soil. This makes it possible for the roots to breathe again. This action prevents the plants from dying. Now the garden can breathe once again.
• The powdered sugar used in the bakery was prone to caking in the humid kitchen. They had a special container that they could store the powder in to stop this from happening. I was able to ask them about the container. This made it possible for me to use the product.
• The poorly stored fertilizer began caking after only a few weeks, making it difficult to spread evenly across the fields. The farmers had a hard time using the fertilizer because of the packaging. It was a total disaster. If the storage containers were better, the fertilizer would have been more efficient.