Chapter 2 -Bulk Material Characteristics, Material Code, Conveyor Size and Speed,

Component Groups

Table 2-1 Material Classification Code Chart

Mayor Class Material Characteristics Included Designation

Density Bulk Density, Loose Actual lbs/ ft3

N
No. 200 Sieve (0.0029”) and under A200

O
TI
Very fine No. 100 Sieve (0.0059”) and under A100

U
No. 40 Sieve (0.016”) and under A40

IB
TR
Fine No. 6 Sieve (0.132”) and under B6

IS
1/2” and under C1/2

D
Size Granular 3” and under D3

R
7” and under D7

FO
16” and under D16

T
O
Lumpy* Over 16” to be specified
DX

N
X = Actual Maximum Size

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Irregular Stringy, Fibrous, Cylindrical, Slabs, etc. E

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Very free flowing—Flow function > 10 1

fe
Free flowing—Flow function >4 but <10 2

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Flowability
Average flowability—Flow function >2 but <4 3

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Sluggish—Flow function <2 4
Mildly Abrasive -E
— Index 1-17 5
19
Abrasiveness Moderately Abrasive — Index 18-67 6
0-

Extremely Abrasive — Index 68-416 7

-2
-6

Builds Up and Hardens F

EW

Generates Static Electricity G

I

Decomposition - Deteriorates in Storage H

EV

Flammability J
R

Becomes Plastic or Tends to Soften K

AL

Very Dusty L
IN
-F

Aeration-Fluidity M
ee

Explosiveness N
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Stickiness-Adhesion O
m

Miscellaneous
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Contaminable P
Properties or
Degradable, Size Breakdown Q
rC

Hazards
Gives Off Harmful or Toxic Gas or Fumes R
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Highly Corrosive S
on

Mildly Corrosive T
C

Hygroscopic U
w

Interlocks, Mats or Agglomerates V

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Sc

Oils Present W
Packs Under Pressure X
A
EM

Very Light and Fluffy—May Be Windswept Y

C

Elevated Temperature Z
*Refer to Chapter 2, Table 2-5, Maximum Lump Size

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 Screw Conveyors for Bulk Materials - ANSI/CEMA Standard #350

Preface to Material Table 2-2

The Material Table 2-2 lists a wide range of bulk materials that can be handled in screw conveyors.
The table shows in the first column the range of density that is usually experienced in handling that

N
material. The average density is not specifi­cally shown but is often assumed to be at or near the

O
minimum.

TI
U
IB
The next column shows the material code number. This consists of the average density, the

TR
usual size designation, the flowability number, the abrasive number followed by those material

IS
characteristics which are termed conveyable hazards.

D
R
The component series column refers to selection of conveyor components as used in Tables 2-7,

FO
2-8 and 2-9 of this Chapter.

T
O
A very fine 100 mesh material with an average density of 50 lbs. per cubic foot, that has average

N
flowability and is moderately abrasive, would have a material code 5OA10036. If this material were

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nc
very dusty and mildly corrosive the number would then be 5OA10036LT.

re
fe
The Material Factor is used in the horsepower formula to determine the horse­power to operate

on
a horizontal screw conveyor. The calculation of horsepower is de­scribed in Chapter 3.

C
ng
The indication of suitability for handling the material in a vertical screw conveyor is only a guide.
See Chapter 7. -E
19
0-

The information and data in the Material Table, Table 2-2, has been compiled by members of
-2

CEMA and represents many years of experience in the successful de­sign and application of screw
-6
EW

conveyors for handling the listed materials. The indi­cated physical characteristics of these materials
are not the result of any particular laboratory tests but were learned from the actual industrial
I
EV

operation of countless screw conveyors.

R

The Material Table includes various grains, seeds, feeds, etc. that are commonly handled in
AL

many conveyor types. The published unit weights, the component series and material factors Fm are
IN

for average conditions. For instance, wheat when dry or with a low moisture of less than 10% is very
-F

free flowing, and the Fm factor of 0.4 can be used. When higher moistures are prevalent, a material
ee

factor of 0.5 or 0.6 is sug­gested. This phenomena is common to all grains and some other substances.
itt
m
om

It should also be noted that soybeans are shown as being very abrasive. Heavy conveyor
construction is recommended. This is because soybeans, especially when dirty and harvested at a
rC

low moisture, are extremely abrasive. On the other hand, hard iron bearings which are commonly
yo

used with abrasive materials cannot be recommended because of spark generation and consequent
ve

dust explosions. This phenomena is also true of rough rice and to a lesser degree on other grains.
on
C

THE MATERIAL TABLE IS A GUIDE ONLY. THE MATERIALS CODE AND THE MATERIAL FACTOR Fm
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ARE BASED ON EXPERIENCE OF SEVERAL CON­VEYOR MANUFACTURERS. A SPECIFIC MATERIAL SAMPLE

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MAY HAVE PROP­ERTIES THAT VARY FROM THOSE SHOWN IN THE TABLE. THE RANGE OF DENSITIES
WILL ALSO VARY DEPENDING ON MOISTURE CONTENT AS WELL AS ITS SOURCE.
A
EM
C

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 Chapter 2 -Bulk Material Characteristics, Material Code, Conveyor Size and Speed,
Component Groups
Table 2-2 Material Characteristics
Loose Bulk Density CEMA Material Component Material
Material Description V
[lb/ft3 (kgf/m3)] Code Series Factor
Adipic Acid 45 (721) 45A10035N 2B 0.5 X
Alfalfa, Meal 14-22 (224-352) 18B645WY 2D 0.6 X

N
Alfalfa, Pellets 41-43 (657-689) 42C1/225 2D 0.5

O
TI
Alfalfa, Seed 10-15 (160-240) 13B615N 1A-1B-1C 0.4

U
IB
Almonds, Broken 27-30 (432-481) 29C1/235Q 2D 0.9

TR
Almonds, Whole, Shelled 28-30 (449-481) 29C1/235Q 2D 0.9

IS
Alum, Fines 45-50 (721-801) 48B635U 1A-1B-1C 0.6

D
Alum, Lumps 50-60 (801-961) 55B625 2A-2B 1.4

R
FO
Alumina 55-65 (881-1041) 58B627MY 3D 1.8
Alumina, Fines 35 (561) 35A10027MY 3D 1.6

T
O
Alumina, Sized or Briquette 65 (1041) 65D337 3D 2.0

N
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Aluminate Gel (Aluminate Hydroxide) 45 (721) 45B635 2D 1.7 X

nc
Aluminum Chips, Dry 7-15 (112-240) 11E45VN 2D 1.2

re
Aluminum Chips, Oily 7-15 (112-240) 11E45VY 2D 0.8

fe
on
Aluminum Hydrate 13-20 (208-320) 17C1/235N 1A-1B-1C 1.4 X

C
Aluminum Ore (See Bauxite) -- --

ng
Aluminum Oxide 60-120 (961-1922) 90A10017MN 3D 1.8
-E
19
Aluminum Silicate (Andalusite) 49 (785) 49C1/235S 3A-3B 0.8 X
0-

Aluminum Sulfate 45-58 (721-929) 52C1/225 1A-1B-1C 1.0

-2

Ammonium Chloride, Crystalline 45-52 (721-833) 49A10045FRS 3A-3B 0.7

-6
EW

Ammonium Nitrate 45-62 (721-993) 54A4035NTU 3D 1.3

Ammonium Sulfate 45-58 (721-929) 52C1/235F0TU 1A-1B-1C 1.0
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Apple Pomace, Dry 15 (240) 15C1/245Y 2D 1.0 X

R

Arsenate of Lead (See Lead Arsenate) -- --

AL

Arsenic Oxide (Arsenolite)* 100-120 (1602-1922) 110A10035R -- --

IN
-F

Arsenic, Pulverized 30 (481) 30A10025R 2D 0.8

ee

Asbestos Rock, Ore 81 (1297) 81D337R 3D 1.2

itt

Asbestos, Shredded 20-40 (320-641) 30E46XY 2D 1.0

m
om

Ash, Black, Ground 105 (1682) 105B636 1A-1B-1C 2.0

rC

Ashes, Coal, Dry - 1/2” 35-45 (561-721) 40C1/246TY 3D 3.0 X

yo

Ashes, Coal, Dry - 3” 35-40 (561-641) 38D346T 3D 2.5

ve

Ashes, Coal, Wet - 1/2” 48C1/246T 3D 3.0

on

Ashes, Coal, Wet - 3” 48D346T 3D 4.0

C

Ashes, Fly (See Flyash) -- --

w
re

Asphalt, Crushed - 1/2” 45 (721) 45C1/245 1A-1B-1C 2.0 X

Sc

Bagasse 7-10 (112-160) 9E45RVXY 2A-2B-2C 1.5

A

Bakelite, Fines 30-45 (481-721) 38B625 1A-1B-1C 1.4 X

EM

Baking Powder 40-55 (641-881) 48A10035 1B 0.6 X

C

*Consult Conveyor Manufacturer.

V - Those materials which show an X may be handled in vertical screw conveyors.

15