Many materials used in most industries occur in dispersed form (i.e.

, material that is
divided into elements having different particles sizes). The particle sizes and their
distribution within a material quantity - the fractions of particles of different sizes – have
a crucial influence on physical and chemical properties of the material. When particle
distribution varies, the quality of the finished product changes. As such, continuous
monitoring of the particle size distribution is essential and is usually done through sieve
and mesh analysis.

IL. OBJECTIVES
 To perform a sieve test analysis for determining the percentage weight retained
of different grain sizes contained within the sample.
 To obtain a particle distribution curve by plotting sieve size versus weight
retained.

III. THEORY
A.) General theory
During sieving, a known weight of the sample is subjected to horizontal or vertical
movement in accordance with the chosen method. It is placed upon the top of a group
of nested sieves (the top sieve has the largest screen openings and the screen opening
sizes decrease with each sieve down to the bottom sieve which has the smallest
opening size screen) and shaken by mechanical means for a length of time. A test sieve
is an instrument used for sieve analysis. In its most common form; it consists of a
woven wire screen, with square apertures, rigidly mounted in a shallow cylinder metal
frame.

Choosing Test Sieve Sizes for Sieve Stacks

For size testing purposes it is desirable to have a set of sieves in which

the screen apertures bear some sort of relationship to one another or if they are
in series. Number series based on roots of ten are called Preferred or R(enard)
numbers. Series based on the tenth, twentieth and fortieth roots of ten, for
 example, are called R10, R20 and R40 series of preferred numbers respectively.
The approximate ratios of successive sizes in these series are: R20/3 – 1.4 (i.e.,
40 %), 40/3 –1.19 (19 %), R20 –1.12(12 %).

Given a sieve stack, not more than about 5 percent on the sample should
pass the finest sieve or be retained on the coarsest. Once the terminal sieves
have been decided upon, the intermediate screens can be chosen. The following
three examples indicate some of the choices that could be made from sieves in
the range 710 to 180 µm from British Standard (BS) sieve:
(a) Consecutive sieves which obey the R40/3 relationship. Necessary only for
detailed size analysis over the whole range:
710 600 500 425 355 300 250 212 180
(b) Alternate sieves which obey the R20/3, (approx. √2 ) relationship. Adequate
for most purposes:
710 500 355 250 180
(c) Combination of the R40/3 and R20/3 (√2 and ) series. Useful if a detailed
analysis is required over part of the range:
710 500 425 355 300 250 180

B.) Basic or working general equation

Percent Retained:
IMR
IPR= ∗100 %
M
CMR
CPR= ∗100 %
M