Grain Size Analysis Testing Procedure for Material Finer than a Minus 200 Sieve
When performing grain size analysis and dealing with material finer than a #200 sieve, especially without clear testing procedures. The purpose of testing finer materials is to get the right sample mass. This test involves using some unique materials and apparatus. Engage a balance to get the right mass measurement, sieves help in material and water separation, and the container holds the mixture together. Wetting agents help promote fine material separation, while the oven helps dry the sample to the right temperature.
Grain Size Analysis Testing Procedures
There are two unique processes followed in testing materials through a sieve. The first involves washing the materials through plain water. The second sees the material washed using a wetting agent. Both procedures get to the final desired results, although the first approach is ideal and preferred.
Testing Procedure of Material Finer Than a #200 Sieve
Dealing with finer material is tasking, especially without clear testing procedures. The purpose of testing finer materials is to get the right sample mass. This test involves using some unique materials and apparatus. Engage a balance to get the right mass measurement, sieves help in material and water separation, and the container holds the mixture together. Wetting agents help promote fine material separation, while the oven helps dry the sample to the right temperature.
First Testing Procedure For Minus 200
In the first procedure, the test sample gets dried in the oven. The drying process gets maintained on a constant mass. The temperature levels get maintained at 11065 °C before determining the mass of the test sample to the nearest 0.1%. Separate the sample where there are unique requirements to the testing process to get desired results. When through with drying and mass determination, cover the test sample sufficiently with water in a container. There should be no addition of dispersing agent, detergent, or any other substance to the water. Use sufficient vigor to agitate the sample to attain complete separation of every finer particle from the coarser ones. The agitation process should lead to the attainment of fine material suspension. Pass the used water containing dissolved and suspended solids over the nested sieves having coarser sieves atop them. Be careful to feasibly avoid decanting the sample’s coarser particles.
The subsequent processes should involve continuous water addition to the container with the sample, agitating, and decanting as the first step for every process. The process should be on repeat mode until you get clear wash water. The retained material on nested sieves when flushing the washed sample gets returned to the container at every stage. Subject the washed aggregate to drying in the oven at a constant mass temperature of 11065 °C. Mass determination follows the nearest 0.1% of the primary sample mass. Avoid, by all means, decanting water without going through the sieves to prevent loss of material. Any excess water in the sample gets evaporated through oven drying.
Second Testing Procedure for Grain Size Analysis Wash 200 sieve analysis
This process involves using a wetting agent. The sample gets prepared the same way as in the first step. Place the sample in water after drying and mass determination. Add the wetting agent to the container with water covering the sample. Sufficiently and vigorously agitate the sample to separate finer samples from coarser ones. The process should suspend finer materials at the end. Repeat the same first process of pouring water with suspended and dissolved solids over the sieves.
The used wetting agent should be sufficient to produce small suds amounts when you agitate the sample. The quantity of wetting agents depends on water hardness and the detergent’s quality. Getting excess suds may lead to material loss due to overflow over the sieves. The second round of water addition does not involve adding or using a wetting agent. The process should continue till you get clear wash water. Complete the testing process as was in the first procedure.
