Toocoarse

Toocoarse is an adjective used to describe a material whose particle size is coarser than is appropriate for a given application. It is not a formal dictionary term, but it appears in technical notes, quality-control records, and process instructions to flag a sample that may fail to meet specifications due to excessive coarseness.

Common contexts for the term include soil science, construction, and materials processing. In soil science and agronomy, a too-coarse texture can affect water retention, drainage, and nutrient availability. In construction and civil engineering, coarse aggregates must meet grading requirements; if the aggregate is too coarse, workability and concrete strength can be affected. In milling, grinding, and powder processing, a product described as too coarse indicates that the particle size distribution does not fit the target specification and may require additional milling or sieving, or blending with finer fractions. In food processing, grinding too coarse can impact texture, dissolution, and sensory properties. In ceramics and powder metallurgy, too-coarse powders hinder uniform sintering and densification.

Measurement and thresholds for defining “toocoarse” depend on context. Common methods include sieve analysis, laser diffraction, and image analysis to determine particle-size distribution relative to a specified upper limit. Because toocoarse is largely usage-based, exact definitions vary by industry, process, and product specification.

See also: fineness, particle size distribution, sieve analysis, grading.