ASTM Sieving Test Methods Manual

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MANUAL ON
TEST SIEVING METHODS
Prepared by ASTM Committee E-29
as Guidelines for Establishing
Sieve Analysis Procedures
1985 EDITION
With editorial changes to conform to the latest
revisions of USA Standard Sieve Series
specifications (ASTM E-11, E-161, and E-323)
ASTM SPECIAL TECHNICAL PUBLICATION 447 B

04-447020-23
1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
ASTM Committee E-29 on Particle Size Measurement.

Manual on test sieving methods.
(ASTM special technical publication; 447B)

"With editorial changes to conform to the latest
revisions of USA standard sieve series specifications
(ASTM E-II, E-161, and E-323)."
"ASTM publication code number (PCN) 04-447020-23."
1. Particle size determination. 2. Sieves.
3. Granular materials. I. American Society for
Testing and Materials. 1I. Title. III. Series.
TA418.8.A47 1985 620'.43 85-22816
ISBN 0-8031-0476-6
Copyright 9 by AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS 1985

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 85-22816
NOTE
The Society is not responsible, as a body,
for the statements and opinions
advanced in this publication.
Printed in Mars. PA
December 1985
Foreword
This manual on test sieving methods is intended for use as a supplement

to and not a substitute for the many published ASTM standards relating to
the sieve analysis of materials. There has been a need for a manual that
would bring together from many sources proved methods for making reli-
able sieve analyses to serve as a guide for the novice and a reference for the
more advanced. Some of the material in both the text and the tables is
published here for the first time.
Test Sieving Methods was originally compiled by W. C. Mahlig and
A. E. Reed now deceased. The latest revisions to this manual were made by
a working committee of ASTM E-29.01 consisting of W. C. Mahlig ATM
Test Sieves, Inc. 645 South 94th Place, West AUis, Wisconsin; Mr. R. H.
Smith, Gilson Company, Inc., P.O. Box 677, Worthington, Ohio 43085;
and Mr. C. W. Ward, Consultant, 5778 Robinwood Lane, Ostrander, OH
43061.
Please eontact members of this working committee for any additional
information or a list of suppliers of equipment mentioned in the manual.
Related
ASTM Publications
Liquid Particle Size Measurement Techniques, STP 848 (1984),

04-848000-41.
Contents
Introduction 1
1. Wire Cloth Sieves 2
2. Perforated Plate Sieves 2
3. Precision Electroformed Sieves 3
4. Centerline Sieves 3
5. Samples and Sampling 4
6. General Test Sieving Procedure 10
7. Hand Sieving Method 10
8. Mechanical Sieve Shaker Method 12
9. Wet Testing 16
10. Combined Wet and Dry Testing 18
11. Weighing 18
12. Calculation 19
13. Graphic Presentation of Test Results 21
14. Care and Cleaning of Test Sieves 23
15. Miscellaneous Suggestions 26
Appendix
Table 1--U.S. standard sieve series (ASTM Designation E 11) 28
Table 2--U.S. standard perforated plate sieves
(ASTM Designation E 323) 30
Table 3--International Standard (ISO) 31
Table 4--Precision electroformed sieves
(ASTM Designation E 161) 32
Suggestions on Procedures for Making Sieve Analysis
with Precision Electroformed Sieves 34
Table S--Suggested bulk volume of test sample for sieve

analysis with 8-in. and 20-mm round sieves 35
Table 6--Typical bulk densities of various particulate materials 36
Table 7--List of ASTM published standards on sieve analysis
procedures for specific materials or industries 37
Table 8--List of ASTM published standards on sampling of
particulate materials 41
Nomenclature 42
References 46
STP447B-EB/Dec. 1985
Int:roduc ion
Standard test sieves are an accepted means for determining the
classification, according to particle size, of divided solid material from
its raw state through the various stages of processing, crushing, pulver-
izing, and screening to the finished product. By the use of a series of
sieves, with apertures embracing the size range of the material being
tested, complete information on the particle size distribution in the
sample can be quickly and accurately obtained.
Because of the widely different properties of the various materials to
be sieved, such as size of particles, density, moisture, hygroscopic
properties, particle shape, friability, abrasiveness, cohesiveness, etc., it
is not possible to specify a single procedure to follow in making all sieve
tests. Fortunately, standard sieve test procedures have been established
for many important materials and groups of similar materials, and,
whenever such standard procedures exist, it is important that they be
followed to the letter by all laboratories or individuals making sieve tests
of the materials the standards cover. For a list of published ASTM stan-
dards pertaining to sieve analysis and sampling procedures, see Tables 7
and 8 in the Appendix of this manual.
In spite of the considerable standardization work that has been done,
there are hundreds of granular materials for which sieve analysis data
are desired but for which standard test procedures have not been
established or published. One of the objectives of this manual is to
meet this need for supplementary procedures for specific materials by
summarizing the most accepted general procedures for making sieve
tests and also by providing guidelines for developing new standard sieve
analysis procedures when none are available.
Copyright9 by ASTM International www.astm.org
2 MANUAL ON TEST SIEVING METHODS
1. Wire Cloth Sieves

1.1 Standard test sieves that conform to ASTM Specifications E 11
(Table 1) should always be used. This series of test sieves, based on the
principal of a fixed ratio of 4x/2to 1 between the sieve openings, was first
introduced in the United States in 1910 and since has achieved worldwide
use. The number of sieves in the series and the spacing of the apertures in
the scale have been proved, by over fifty years experience, to be ideal for
the great mass of sieve analysis work. Since 1910, many eountries have
adopted national sieve standards based on the same fixed ratio as the U.S.
series.
1.2 The International Standards Organization (ISO), with the USA
participating, adopted in 1969, a Recommended Series of Apertures for
Test Sieves for universal use. In 1970, the USA Standard Sieve Series,
ASTM Specification E 11 was revised for full compatibility with the
ISO Recommended Aperture Designations, while retaining the basic
4~ ratio between the sieve openings.
1.3 For most sieve tests, where the largest particle in the sample
does not exceed 1 in. (25 ram), standard 8-in. (203-mm)-diameter, 2-in.
(50-mm)-deep sieves are recommended. For special cases and with small
samples 3-in. (76-ram) and 6-in. (152-mm)-diameter sieves are available.
All three diameters of sieves are also available with half-height frames
1 in. (25 ram) deep. These half-height sieves are very useful when
working with small samples, or when using intermediate nesting pans
between sieves in the stack to make multiple simultaneous tests with a
mechanical shaker.
1.4 Standard 8-in. (203-mm) test sieves normally are available with
brass frames with brass wire cloth for the coarser sieves and phosphor
bronze wire cloth for the finer sieves. Stainless steel sieve cloth is
available and is increasing in popularity because of its greater strength,
durability, and resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Stainless steel
sieves can be specified with either brass or stainless steel frames.
1.5 For tests of samples with large size particles, larger diameter
frames, such as 10 in. (254 ram), 12 in. (305 mm), 16 in. (406 mm), 18 in.
(457 mm), are available; the latter three sizes also are available with square
frames.
1.6 For more complete details of standard test sieves, including meth-
ods of checking and calibrating the sieves, see the complete ASTM Specifi-
cations E 11.
2, Perforated Plate Sieves
2.1 Perforated plate sieves, made to conform to ASTM Specification
E 323 (Table 2) are available with square apertures from 125 to 3.35
1 Including Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand
Japan, India, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay,
MANUAL ON TEST SIEVING METHODS 3
mm (5 to 0.127 in.) and with round apertures from 125 to 1 mm (5

to 0.039 in.) The sizes of successive apertures in the series follow the
same ratio as in the standard ASTM Specification E 11 for sieves.
2.2 Standard frames for perforated plate sieves with apertures 4.00 mm
and larger are made of hardwood or steel to hold 12 in. (305 mm), 16 in.
(406 mm), or 18-in. (457-mm) square sieve plates. For apertures smaller
than 4.00 mm, 8-in. (203-mm) circular frames as well as the above larger
square frames may be used.
2.3 In general, round hole sieves are used only when the product specifi-
cation is based on round hole apertures. Where perforated sieves and wire
cloth sieves are to be used in the same test, or where results with perforated
sieves might be compared with results with wire cloth sieves, it is recom-
mended that only square aperture sieves be used. Results with a given
square aperture and with the same diameter round aperture are n o t com-
patible.
3. Precision Electroformed Sieves

3.1 Precision electroformed sieves, made to conform to ASTM specifi-
cation E 161 (Table 4), are available with apertures as fine as 5 micron.
With the use of proper care and the special procedures outlined in the in-
structions following Table 4 (Appendix), sieve analysis results can be ob-
tained in the range of 40 to 5 micron that is unattainable by any other
sieving means. Electroformed sieves, when properly calibrated and used
are sometimes employed as a reference standard in the range of 1820 mi-
crons to 5 microns.
3.2 Because of the delicacy of the electroformed sheet from which the
sieves are made, they must be handled with extreme care, and the same
procedures as for tests with the wire cloth sieves cannot be used.
3.3 Because of the small size of the sieves, 3 in. (76 mm) and their very
limited open area, especially in the sieves apertures, very small size sam-
pies, .002 g in many cases, must be used together with very sensitive ana-
lyrical balances that are capable of weighing to + -- 1 mg. Eight inch (203
mm) sieves are also available and they require sensitive analytical bal-
ances, but proportional large sample, can be made. All precision electro-
formed sieves are matched sieves.
4. Centerline Sieves
4.1 ASTM Specifications E-11 specify certain manufacturing toler-
ances permitting a slight plus or minus variation in the average opening for
each sieve. Where extreme accuracy is desired on very closely sized mate-
rial more closely graded sieves may be required.
At least one sieve manufacturer has available Centerline Sieves. The
openings of a test sieve can be very accurately measured on a mass basis
through the use of a computerized optical comparator.
Thus when greater accuracy is required equipment of this type enables

the manufacturer to select sieves whose openings fall as near as possible on
the centerline of the allowable tolerances. Contact ASTM Committee
E-29.01 for information of those suppliers who provide this service.
4.2 It is obviously impractical, especially in the finer meshes, to
select sieves having all openings with near zero tolerances by measure-
ment, as there are literally millions of openings to measure in each sieve.
4.3 ASTM Specification E 11 calls attention to the availability and
usefulness of "matched sieves." Matched sieves are selected by a rigid
procedure of actual sieve analyses with the particular material for which
the sieves are to be used; the results obtained are compared with a
master set of measured sieves. Sieves of this type are the most accurate
obtainable, and the comparability of results using "matched sieves" far
exceeds those obtainable with sieves which are merely "certified" to be
within the specifications and tolerances of the ASTM Specification E 11.
5. Samples and Sampling

5.1 Accurate sampling is of the greatest importance and is the basic
requirement for reliable sieve analyses. Great care should be taken to
obtain samples that are truly representative of the batch or lot being
tested. The greatest cause of inconsistencies in test results is improper
sampling that does not truly represent the material. Therefore, once the
sampling procedure is established, this same procedure should always
be followed.
5.2 How to Take Samples--It is not practicable to specify a single
method of sampling since the character of the material and the form in
which it is available will affect the selection of the procedure to be used.
For example, the material may be fine, medium, or coarse, and it may
be in a pile, railroad cars, bags, or a continuous stream. Sampling
procedures for a variety of materials are described in the ASTM stand-
ards listed in Table 7 and should be used for all materials which they
cover. For other materials, generally accepted procedures are outlined
in this manual.
5.3 Size of Gross SampIe2--The size of a gross sample will depend
not only on the character of the material and the form in which it is
available (see Paragraph 5.2) but also on whether the test is to deter-
mine the particle size distribution of a pile, batch, shipment, day's pro-
duction, or short span of time for production control. The range of
size of a gross sample is very wide. It may be as much as several
thousand pounds (or kilograms) and may be as little as a fraction of a
2in this manual the primary sample taken for a sieve analysis test is referred
to as the "gross sample," while the sample that has been reduced to the size
for the sieve test is referred to as the "test sample."
pound (or kilogram). For detailed sampling instructions and suggested

gross sample sizes for specific materials, see Tables 6 and 7.
5.4 Sampling from a Chute or Belt--Good accuracy in sampling is
obtained where material is flowing from a chute or a belt conveyor. The
ideal place to take the sample is just where the material drops from the
chute or belt. When taking the sample, if the stream is small enough,
use a pail or other suitable receptacle which can be swung completely
across the flowing stream in a brief interval of time and with a uniform
movement. Under no circumstances should the sampling receptable be
allowed to overflow, because the overflow would tend to reject a higher
proportion of the larger particles than exist in a representative sample.
Mechanical sampling devices are available for selecting samples auto-
matically from a stream at uniform spaced intervals of time. "~
5.5 Sampling [rom a Pile--In sampling from a pile, particularly
material like crushed stone or coal containing large particles, it is
extremely difficult to secure samples that are truly representative. At
the apex of a conical pile, the proportion of fines will be greater, while
at the base, the percentage of coarse particles will be greater. There-
fore, neither location will be representative of the whole. In a shoveling
process, every fifth or tenth shovel, etc., should be taken depending on
the amount of the sample desired. The sample should consist of small
quantities taken at random from as many parts of the pile as are
accessible and taken in a manner that the composite will have the same
grading as the larger amount.
5.6 Sampling ]rom Carload Shipments o[ Coarse Bulk Materials
For coarse materials, such as crushed stone and gravel, shipped in rail-
road cars, a recommended method is to dig three or more trenches at
least 1 ft (30.38 cm) deep and approximately 1 ft (30.38 cm) wide at
the bottom. Equal portions are taken at seven equally spaced points
along the bottom of the trench by pushing a shovel downward into the
material and not by scraping horizontally. Samples from trucks, barges,
or boats should be taken in the same manner as from railroad cars,
except that the number of trenches should be adjusted to the size of the
transportation unit and tonnage involved. 4
5.7 Sampling ]rom Carload Shipments o[ Fine Bulk Materials--One
established method for sampling a carload of bulk granular material is
to take eight samples of equal size (approximately 700 to 1000 g each)
from the bottom of a 1-ft (30.48-cm) conical excavation. Samples
3 Mechanical sampling devices are described in ASTM Methods for Mechanical

Sampling of Coal (D 2234).
4 For further details on procedures for sampling from carload shipments of
coarse and fine materials, see ASTM Methods of Sampling Stone, Slag, Gravel,
Sand, and Stone Block for Use as Highway Materials (D 75).
should be suitably spaced to represent the length and width of the car
and then combined into a single gross sample. ~
5.8 Sampling Btdk Shipments o[ Fine Material with a Sampling
Tube--An alternate and simpler method of sampling a carload, or other
bulk quantity of fine or granular material is by the use of a sampling tube
which, for this purpose, should be 11/2 in. (31.75 mm) by approximately
6 ft (1.829 m). Five or six insertions of the tube will produce ap-
proximately a 10-1b (907-g) sample. 4
5.9 Sampling from a Carload o] Bagged Material--One method of
sampling a carload of material shipped in bags is to select, at random,
a number of bags equal to the cube root of the total number of bags in
the car and to take suitable portions (800 to 1000 g for minus 6-mm
material) from each o[ the selected bags for a combined gross sample. 5
5.10 Reduction o/ Gross Sample to Test Size [or Sieve Analysis--
After the gross sample has been properly taken, the next step is to
reduce it to a suitable size for the sieve analysis test without impairing
in any way the particle size distribution characteristics of the original
sample. This phase of the operation should follow the applicable ASTM
published standards, or the procedures described in the succeeding sec-
tions, and should be performed with as much care as was used in the
collection of the gross sample and in making the sieve test.
5.11 Coning and Quartering--Pile the gross sample in a cone (Fig. 1),
place each shovelful at the apex of the cone, and allow it to run down
equally in all directions. This will mix the sample. Then spread the
sample in a circle and walk around the pile, gradually widening the
circle with a shovel until the material is spread to a uniform thickness.
Mark the flat pile into quarters, and reject two opposite quarters. Mix
again into a conical pile, taking alternate shovelfuls from the two
quarters saved. Continue the process of piling, flattening, and rejecting
two quarters until the sample is reduced to the required size. 6
5.12 Sample Splitters and Reducers--Gross samples, if not too large,
may be reduced to test sample size by one or more passes through a
sample splitter or Jones type riffler (Fig. 2), which will divide a sample
in half while maintaining the particle size distribution of the original
sample. By repeated passes, the sample can be split into quarters,
eighths, etc, until the size of the sample desired is obtained. For larger
gross samples, sample reducers are available which will select a rep-
resentative 16th part with a single pass (Fig. 3). By just two passes
through such a unit, a representative 1-1b sample can be obtained from
an original 256 lb. Three passes will give a 1-1b sample from two tons
~For further details on sampling from carloat shipments of fine granular

materials in both bulk and bagged form, see AS-I~ ~ Test for Sieve Analysis of
Granular Mineral Surfacing for Asphalt Roofing an.: Shingles (D 451).
6 The operations of mixing, coning, and quartering are illustrated and described
in detail in Method of Sampling Coke for Analysis (D 346).
FIG. 1--Coning and quartering of sample.
of material. Always make sure that the passages in the splitter or

reducer are at least three times the size of the largest particle in the
sample. Do not attempt to arrive at exactly the amount of material
specified for the test. If a 50-g sample is desired, arrive as near to this
amount as practicable, because it will make no difference in the test
percentage results whether the sample is slightly larger or smaller. In
attempting to arrive at an exact weight, the tendency is to discriminate
by the removal of sizes which are not representative of the whole, thus
destroying the representative quality of the sample.
5.13 Size o[ Test Sample--If the size of the test sample for the sieve
analysis has not been established by a published standard, or otherwise,
it may be determined by the following suggestions. In deciding on the
size of a test sample, consideration must be given to the character
of the material, its screenability, and the range of particle sizes present.
For example, in making a sieve analysis of a material representing the
stream to a fine screen or a product from a crusher, which contains a
range of small particle sizes, a sample of from 500 to 1000 g may be
required, while for a coarse aggregate up to 20 kg or more might be
FIG. 2-Sample splitter.
necessary. For a finely ground product, a sample of 25 to 100 g could

be sufficient.
5.14 Sample Weight Limits--In determining the suitable size of the
test sample, the weight per cubic unit of the material is very important.
For example, as may be seen from Table 5, a 100-cm 3 sample of
powdered iron would weigh approximately 390 g, while the same volume
of diatomaceous earth would weigh only 50 g. The volume of the test
sample should be such that no sieve is overloaded to a point where there
is a crowding of oversize and near-mesh particles on the sieve surface.
Overloading is most likely to occur in tests of materials which have a
concentration of particles close to one size, or where the entire sample
is within a narrow size range, for example, if a large proportion of the
particle sizes would be between a 2-ram sieve and a 500-/zm sieve. In
such a case, the size of the sample should be determined by the capacity
(without overloading) of the sieve retaining the largest amount of the
sample. At the same time, the sample must be large enough to permit a
measurable amount of the material to be retained on each sieve, par-
ticularly on the control sieves. In making a sieve analysis of medium or
FIG. 3--Sixteen to one sample reducer.
fine material, it is best not to use too large a sample. A smaller sample
properly taken and carefully reduced will usually give more accurate
and consistent results than a larger sample which might overload one or
more of the sieves. The reverse may be true when testing coarse
materials, such as coarse aggregates where larger samples are required
to constitute a representative portion.
5.15 Determination of Test Sample Size--As a check method to
determine the correct size of a sample, the following procedure is sug-
gested. With a sample splitter, accurately split samples of varying
weights, such as 25, 50, 100, and 200 g. Then run these various
samples on the sieves selected for a period of approximately 5 rain,
preferably on a mechanical sieve shaker. A comparison of these results
will show the most suitable size sample to use. For example, if the test
with the 100-g sample shows approximately the same percentage passing
the finer sieves as the 50-g sample, whereas the 150-g sample shows a
lower percentage through the finest sieve, this would be an indication
that a 150-g sample would be too large, but a 100-g sample would be
satisfactory. Once the correct size sample is determined for a particular
test, this same size sample should be used for all such tests.
5.16 Table ot Suggested Sample Sizes--A useful table of recom-
I0 MANUAL ON TEST SIEVING METHODS
mended sample sizes for tests with 8-in. or 200-ram sieves is Nven in
Table 4. Note that the table gives sample sizes by volume. Recom-
mended sample weights (in grams) can be determined by mutiplying
the values in Columns 3 and 4 by the bulk density (in grams per cubic
centimeter) of the material to be tested, rounded out within a tolerance
of 4- 25 percent. If the actual bulk density of the material being tested
has not been determined, the typical density factor for the most nearly
similar material listed in Table 5 may be used. The values in Table 4
are a useful guide where standard test sample sizes have not already
been established, but it is suggested that the sample sizes obtained by
the use of Table 4 be verified by the procedure outlined above before
adopting them as standard.
6. General Test Sieving Procedure
6.1 If the test sample is not dry and free flowing because of moisture,
it should be dried to a constant weight usually at a temperature of 230
• 9 F (110 ___ 5 C), except in cases where such temperature might have
some adverse effect on the material.
6.2 Weigh and record the weight of the test sample to an accuracy
(in general) of 0.1 percent.
6.3 Select the sieves to be used in the test from the ASTM standard
sieve series listed in the Appendix. Most sieve analyses are made with a
nest of sieves, and it is desirable that this nest consist of as few sieves as
possible and still give adequate information on the size distribution of
the material being tested. For example, for a minus 1-in. (25-mm)
material, every other sieve or every third sieve could be used, provided
such a selection gives the desired information and does not result in the
overloading of any of the sieves. In some cases, coarser sieves are used
in the nest to protect the finer sieves from excessive wear or overloading.
For graded materials with a narrow particle size range, such as abrasives,
filter sand, etc., every sieve in the fourth root of two ratio in the series
should be used. In other cases, such as a test for production control, it
may be that only one sieve is needed. Where high precision and close
comparability of test results are desired, matched sieves (see Section 4)
should be used.
6.4 Nest the selected sieves in sequence with the coarsest sieve at
the top and the solid pan at the bottom. Place the test sample on the
top sieve and close the nest with a cover. Proceed with the test using
either the hand sieving method (see Section 7) or the mechanical sieve
shaker method (see Section 8).
6.5 Grain-Size Analysis oJ Soils--Making sieve analysis tests of soils
is a highly specialized procedure, and it is recommended that such
tests be made using the procedures outlined in ASTM method for Dry
Preparation of Soil Samples for Grain-Size Analysis and Determination
of Soil Constants (D 421); Method for Grain-Size Analysis of Soils
(D 422); Test for Amount of Material in Soils Finer Than the No. 200
Sieve (D 1140); and Method for Wet Preparation of Soil Samples for
Grain-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Constants (D 2217).
7. Hand Sieving Method
7.1 Hand sieving is the original basic method of making sieve anal-
yses. In hand sieving, the tests are made, or at least completed, on one
sieve at a time. The best procedure is to place the test sample on a clean
dry sieve with the pan attached. While holding the uncovered sieve and
pan in both hands, sieve with a gentle rotary motion until most of the
fine material has passed through and the residue looks fairly clean.
This operation usually takes only 1 or 2 min for sieves coarser than No.
I00 and 3 or 4 min for sieves No. 100 and finer. When the residue
appears clean, place the cover on the sieve, turn it upside down, and
remove the pan. Then, with the sieve and cover held firmly in one
hand, gently tap the side of the sieve with the handle of the brush used
for cleaning sieves. Dust adhering to the sieve and particles in the
mesh will be dislodged, and the underside on the sieve may be brushed
clean. Empty the pan and thoroughly wipe it with a cloth or waste,
replace it on the sieve, restore the assembly to an upright position, and
carefully remove the cover. Replace on the sieve any coarse material
that has been caught in the cover during the tapping. Continue the
sieving without the cover, as described above, until not more than 1
percent by weight of the residue passes any sieve during 1 min. The
gentle sieving motion involves no danger of spilling the residue, which
should be kept well spread out on the sieve. Continuously rotate the
sieve during the sieving.
7.2 "'End-Point" Tests--Hold the sieve, with pan and cover attached,
in one hand at an angle of about 20 deg from the horizontal. Move the
sieve up and down in the plane of inclination at the rate of about 150
times per minute, and strike the sieve against the palm of the other hand
at the top of each stroke. Perform the sieving over a white paper to
avoid losing particles that may pass between the lid and the sieve.
Return any material collecting on the paper to the sieve. After every
25 strokes, turn the sieve about one sixth of a revolution in the same
direction. As an aid to proper sieve rotation, the sieve cover may be
marked with three straight lines, intersecting at 60 deg through the
center, with one of the lines marked with an arrowhead to indicate the
starting point. Continue the sieving operation until the additional
material which passes through in 1 min of continuous sieving fails to
change the amount on that sieve by more than 1.0 percent. In report-
ing sieve tests, calculations should be carried out to 0.1 percent.
7.3 Procedure with a Stack o/ Sieves--In hand sieving, when a
number of sieves are to be used in the test, arrange the sieves in a stack
(include a bottom pan) with the coarsest sieve at the top, and place the
sample to be sieved on the top sieve. Give the whole nest of sieves a
preliminary shaking for 2 or 3 min. The most practical way to do this
is to place the stack on a table and shake the sieves with a circular
motion accompanied by a tapping action. After this preliminary shak-
ing, shake each sieve separately starting with the coarsest, to complete
the separation as described in Paragraph 7.2. Add all material passing
in each individual sieve to the next smalleI: sieve in the sequence.
7.4 Consistency Important in Hand Sieving--The operator should
try to be consistent with the hand sieving method to always reproduce
the same circular motion and tapping action. If hand sieving is to be
used for repeated tests by more than one laboratory, it is important
that a detailed hand sieving procedure be established and specified.
7.5 Hand Sieving as a R e f e r e e - - I n general, in case of doubt or
dispute on the correctness of the results of a sieve analysis, the ques-
tioned figures should be checked against results obtained by hand
sieving, using the procedures described under Paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2,
which shall be final.
8. Mechanical Sieve Shaker Method
8.1 Mechanical sieve shakers are used in practically all laboratories
where frequent tests are made. They not only eliminate much tedious
hand labor, but, when properly used, will produce more consistent
results.
8.2 There are several general types of mechanical sieve shakers. One
type is designed to simulate hand sieving by using a circular motion
combined with a tapping action. Figures 4 and 5 are examples of this
type.
FIG. 4--Mechanical sieve shaker with tapper.
M A N U A L ON TEST SIEVING METHODS 13
FIG. 5--Mechanical sieve shaker.
8.3 A type of sieve shaker which will handle a stack of 18-in. (45.7-
cm) square sieves is shown in Fig. 6. This type produces a vigorous
agitation especially suitable for handling large samples of coarse
materials such as crushed stone, gravel, etc.
8.4 Another type uses an eleetromagnetically induced high-speed short-
stroke vibration with a control to vary the intensity of the sieving action.
This type is illustrated by Figs. 7 and 8.
8.5 A distinct method for obtaining particle distribution, operating on a
different principle than any of those previously described is shown in Fig.
9. This type uses an oscillating column of air developed within the stack of
sieves to effect classification of the test sample. The "lift" action of the air
column is adjustable. The unit uses 3-in. (76.2-mm) sieves and is limited to
testing small samples of not over 30 g by weight or 10 em3 by volume. Wire
cloth and electroformed type sieves can be used, with dry separations down
to 5 micron.
8.6 In using mechanical sieve shakers, it is necessary to determine the
length of sieving time best suited to the type of materials being tested, and,
for shakers with variable controls, it is necessary to determine and estab-
lish the exact setting of the controller for best results.
8.7 For routine plant control tests, 3 to 5 min is usually sufficient to give
the desired result, while for more difficult materials a sieving time of from
FIG. 6--Mechanical shaker/or large sieves.
10 to 30 min may be necessary. Prolonged sieving time should be avoided

when testing friable materials subject to degradation.
8.8 To determine the sieving time necessary to produce close analysis
results, use the following procedure: From a gross sample, with a
sample splitter select three or four samples of a suitable weight or
volume for the test. Sieve one of these samples for 5 rain, one for 10
rain, one for 15 rain, and a fourth for 20 rain. Tabulate the results of
these tests by the percentages retained on each sieve, and the length of
sieving time required to stabilize the sieving result will be readily ap-
parent and can be established.
8.9 For most tests, a satisfactory end-point is considered to have
been reached when an additional 1 min of sieving fails to change the
weight on any of the sieves used by more than 1.0 percent.
8.10 Sieve tests where the ultimate in accuracy is desired can be set
up on the basis of shaking the nest of sieves until not more than 0.5
percent of the material on the finest sieve passes that sieve in a 5-rain
FIG. 7--Electromagnetic sieve shaker.
FIG. 8--Electromagnetic vibration pad sieve shaker.
FIG. 9--Oscillating air column type sieve shaker.
period. This is a good procedure to follow when no control can be

made on the type of mechanical sieve shaker to be used, or if hand and
mechanical sieving are used interchangeably.
9. Wet Testing
9.1 If at all possible, test sieving should be done on dry material;
however, if difficulty is encountered in obtaining reproducible results on
materials difficult to screen and if the material is not soluble in water,
accurate tests can be made by the wet method.
9.2 In preparing for a wet test, first dry the sample to a constant
weight and weigh to the nearest 0.1 g. If the material readily mixes
with water, place the test sample on the finest sieve, and wash it back
and forth with a gentle stream from a hose in such a way that there is
no loss by rising dust or splashing. When the water passing through the
sieve is clear, the sieve containing the residue should be dried, in an
oven if possible, to a constant weight and at a temperature not to
FIG. l O - - W e t test setup with mechanical sieve shaker.
exceed about 2 3 0 F ( l l 0 C ) . Weigh the residue. This procedure is

repeated on the next coarser sieve.
9.3 This drying time will vary with the size of the sample and the
characteristics of the material and should be established by a series of
weight checks at intervals until no significant change occurs. If an oven

is not available, an infrared lamp set at a distance of about 12 in.
(30.48 cm) may be used.
9.4 If the material does not mix well with water, first place the dried,
accurately weighed sample in a quart (see Paragraph 1.1) jar and fill
the jar about three quarters full of water. Shake contents vigorously to
mix the material with the water. This mixture can then be dumped
onto the sieve and the washing process performed as described above.
9.5 A small quantity of sodium pyrophosphate or tri-sodium phos-
phate (TSP) added to the water will aid in dispersing the solid particles.
If available, an ultrasonic probe can be immersed in the jar to break
up the agglomerates and disperse the particles.
9.6 It is possible to perform wet sieving with a nest of sieves with a
mechanical sieve shaker by equipping the shaker so that a small stream
of water can be received through the top and drained from the bottom
pan after passing through the nest (Fig. 10).
9.7 Special Wet Test lor Hydraulic Cement--See ASTM Test for
Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the No. 325 Sieve (C 430), which
includes details of the special 2-in. (50-mm)-diameter by 3-in. (76-mm)-
high sieve including the special spray nozzle designed for the test.
10. Combined Wet and Dry Testing
10.1 When a sieve analysis to be made with a nest of sieves cannot
be done on a dry basis because of the presence of fine particles which
either agglomerate, adhere to the coarser particles, or cause blinding to
the sieve openings, it is best to remove the fine particles first by wet
sieving and then perform the rest of the analysis on a dry basis.
10.2 In the combined wet and dry method, the sample is tested first
on the finest sieve using the wet method described in Paragraph 9.2.
The coarse residue is then dried at 230 F (110 C) and sieved dry in
accordance with the appropriate method in Section 7 or 8. Percentage
results are expressed in terms of the original dry weight of the test
sample before wet testing.
11. Weighing
11.1 After completion of the agitation of the sieves, the entire nest
of sieves should be brought to the weighing station for recording of the
analysis. Weighing should always be done, in grams for most tests, on
a balance accurate to 0. I percent of the weight of the test sample. One
suitable type of balance for sieve analysis work is shown in Fig. 11.
The material retained on each sieve should be weighed separately. The
material passing through the finest sieve into the pan should also be
weighed to provide an overall check. Since the weight of each fraction
is determined to within 0.1 percent of the total sample weight, the maxi-
mum error for the test should not exceed 0.1 percent times the number
of weighings. If the sum of the weights of the material retained on the
FIG. 11--Balance.
various sieves plus that in the pan does not deviate from the weight of
the original sample by more than the above tolerance, the sum of the
weights, rather than the original sample weight, can be used as 100
percent for calculation of the sieve analysis percentages. Another com-
mon practice is to assume that a deficiency of up to a maximum of
0.5 percent in the sum of the fraction weights compared to the weight
of the original sample is "dust loss" and can be added to the pan frac-
tion. If the variation is greater than the above tolerance, the figures
should be rechecked for possible errors in weighing, calculation, blinding
of the sieve apertures, or accidental spillage loss. (In wet sieving, the
material through the finest sieve is usually lost, and this check is not
possible.)
11.2 When working with small samples and using 3-in. (76-ram)
sieves, it is often desirable to determine a tare weight for each sieve
and pan to permit determination of weights without removal of the
retained fractions. With small fractions there is great danger that loss
of material during removal from the sieve will upset the accuracy of
the test (see Table 4).
12. Calculation
12.I The weights of the material retained on each sieve and the
weight of the original test sample are the basic data from which percen-
20 M A N U A L ON TEST SIEVING METHODS
tages are calculated (see Paragraph 11.1). These weights are not usually
reported. The results are presented in the form of percentages of the
total test sample retained on, or passing through, each sieve.
12.2 The percentage retained on each sieve is calculated by divid-
ing the "total weight coarser" than that sieve by the total weight of the
test sample. The total weight coarser includes the material retained on
that particular sieve plus all material on all coarser sieves. This cumu-
lative percentage is very useful as it represents the total percentage of
the test sample coarser than the aperture of that particular sieve.
Most sieve test tabulations are set up on the basis of the percentage
of material retained on each sieve; however, it is also acceptable to set
up the specifications and report test results on the basis of the per-
LABORATORY REPORT OF SIEVE ANALYSIS

NAHS 4otto IX~ s M ~ eo . . . . . . . T . t N,, !8-500 . . . . .
..u.~., .... SlaTIt.~ST . . . . . ,~.,~t~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . s,..~, ....................
t.~,ll~t P , ~ l e k . . . . . . . . . . . . . rime . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mln,t~ . . . . . . . . . . .

~.,.,~, ~ Tq s ~ No. 1 ..............................................................................
W e i g h t s on or
Betwmn Skvta Total Per~tagt
[
I
[. 4
[ !
~ i
p
l. . . . . i
i J
. . . . . . . . . . i : i ' i i
! 12
" I [
' [ 1
i
2O
I
i
.2 ii "" ""Jri
{ 8.6 17.1 22.7 ~ 77.3
d
7.6 ! 15.3 38.0 62.0
6.O i 12.0 50.0 i 50.0

4
6.0 ' 12.0 62.0 J 38.0
L
9 |40 I 5.5 ! ll.O 73.0 [ 27.0

t 84
21m : L 3.5 i 7.o 8o.o L 2o.o
........ i
J
4 .
P,, Pa, io,o ! po.o io0.0 '
Total. [~.0 100.0
FIG. 12--Laboratory Jorrn ]or recording s i e r e test results.
MANUAL O N TEST S I E V I N G M E T H O D S 21
centage passing each sieve. Figure 12 shows a typical laboratory report

form for recording the results of a sieve test, while Fig. 13 shows a
typical form for reporting a group of sieve analysis results.
13. Graphic Presentation of Test Results
13.1 Sieve analyses often are presented graphically for comparison
with specification requirements, or for general evaluation. By interpola-
tion on the sieve analysis graph, percentage retained on or passing
sieves not actually used in the test can be estimated. Similarly, the size
of aperture which would theoretically retain or pass a selected percen-
tage can be estimated even though that sieve size was not used in the
test or, for that matter does not even exist.
13.2 The abscissa of the sieve analysis graph usually represents the
sieve sizes and the ordinate the percentages retained or passing. Scales
used for the coordinates depend upon the use to be made o~ the results
and the preferences of the user. The scale for sieve sizes may be linear
(arithmetic) or logarithmic. The latter has the advantage of representing
standard sieve sizes, which relate to one another by powers of the
S I E V E TESTS
MADE WITH
U. S. SIEVE SERIES SIEVES
Name ........... d'_~..I~__-s-I~..~_._.cqe ..................... Date ........................................... T e s t N u m b e r __18_-_5__0Q. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Address ........................................................................................ Made by .... E~B.. ..........................
Material . . . . S .I,A__'I~. DU3__~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moisture .... N0~_. .........................
(A) (s) (c) (O) (E) (r)

FEED OVERSIZE UNDERSIZE OVERSIZE UNDERSIZE
TO FROM FROM TO FROM PROM
NO. I 5CP~EEN NO. 1 SCR.~.N NO. i SCREEN NO. 2 SCREEN NO, 2 SCREEN NO. E $ C R E ~
-~: i c Minut~ Time. 10 Mlnu~s Time, lO M;n~t,$ T~m~, 10 ~mutR
Cum.% weleht C.m % WeMht % C~" % w, =~ I % C~m.% wei h % C.m.%
%tin "......
"" ,I . . . . .~.. .". %~,. . 82 . . . . ~, (::=l. ~ tTotJl Be~ea Bet,,e
.I
(Total ~g
" an o , . r
o..~h
M, sl~, SEMI s,.,, i s.. sieve)
l
I
4 4
L
6
a
1o 12 I
14 16
20 ZO 1.0 1,0 .I~ .h I z.b z.b
~e SO g.~ g.6 ig.l 16.1 I 28,=; 29.9 .l .l
SS 40 ]7.1 22.7 l~h.6 60.7 i .21 .2 ! 17.1 2~.7 g7.2 87.1 l.g %8
9S SO ~g.~ "~.oI ~l.l 92.G r g.gr 6.z r l h . h ~7.I Ll.8 98.9 16.8 ~.0
~S 7O a~.o %o_oi g~.fl 98.8 I 1=;.912~.o .< 99.h
100 1oo 1~.o 62.0 1.0 99.8 I 16.2! 38.~ i io.? ~9.8 i~.0 ~I.0
~so 14o 11.o 7),0 ?,c (;,6.8 12.0 6%0
2o0 ~o0 10.2 61.~
7,0 ~0,0
i
k..,aI ?z.z ~.o 7~.o
20.0 I00.0 /21100.C ~8.~)~.i~ 28.? loo.c [,.6~ ,oo.o 28.0 I00.0
Totals ~oo.o ! tOO.Of 11oo.oi 100.0 :00 00.0
REMARKS
B y . - - 7 a" Be. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FIG. 1 3 - - F o r m /or reporting a group of sieve analyses results.
U. S. SIEVE SERIES
Cumuhfive Direct Diagram of Screen A n a l y s i s on Sample of SLATE D U S T
Name~Oi~ D~ SLA'I~ CO. D~e . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1oo
I IJ!-~.
_i i i / b ~
7c I I A ~-t4~ ,o
t I I~11
i i~ ;/i
i / i / ] IHN ~
!/ Y ! 1 Itr
II / I i I ''+~
,o / J/ II ,~
......... ~o
,.( [I
../I/
I II111[
//I
;1;;I
I i iiiiii
4---~ I 1 i i i i:;:~ ~
s
i i i pc, ce~t Per Ce~t
9_ _ - - :_ _ - - . . . . . . . F
t '
,1 I 4
,o ,= .___ I~2ST~eI~EE~-. NO. 2 SCREE~
=o 20
2s 30
4s so ___. ~ _ , _ - 20.0 - - - -
en to
1so 14o
=oo
20o
=oo
2oa
____
~:8-a~8---
i to~l~, : 100.0i
FIG. 14--Typical linear (arithmetic) type o] graph.
fourth root of two on an equally spaced scale (for example, the distances
between the No. 4 and No. 8, the No. 8 and No. 16 and the 3,4 in. and
3/~ in. are all the same since the larger sieve in each case has an aper-
ture twice that of the smaller). The scale for percentages is usually
linear but may occasionally be logarithmic. On the linear scale, equal
differences in percentage are depicted as the same distance.
13.3 Examples of the two principal types of graph used for sieve
analysis work are shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Figures 16 and 17 show
the use of interpolation percentages that would pass or be retained on
a screen opening other than the one used in the test to determine the
size opening that would pass or retain a given percentage.
M A N U A L O N TEST SIEVING METHODS 23
U. S. SIEVE SERIES
Cumulative Logarithmic Diagram of Screen Analysis on Sample of SLATE DUST
Name ,JOHN DOE SLATE, CO Dal'~ . . . .
I~% r . . . . L . . . . . . Ii i i i i m. . . . . . . . . ~ [ J , )I , ,], ,l~J''----~!'' 'I':'''I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
~iIilHiHl!!Mfl~li~s~ttHfl~l-i i ii; ii iilJ~!!ii i!lii i;;!iiii"] L-i"ii--':::.'i.i!!]iII II I

iJ~t~it~
.~~" -t1!ltfJttl;iit~Itti~lt~,~:~tqttttllitHd~gbt~i-.-il;i,i~:iiiiill
~t. : :::' ::11 :;:; :=. 'i L : ............... ~ii;i":~'TEiill i i
III..~2~Gt~
iiiiii$i44G"
::;;ITITl:fl]7~q~:l~ ii i~-~! II::~,I-I::: V-IIMI~GI
:-: : i 4 ~ ~ - l;IJ~i i i~ i i ,:-~i i iii i i i i i i I~+,;-H-H--.~
.: , ~+-~-~n-,-§ ~ ,. ,::::::::::il~iiii ', : ', ,:,xt!!i!t!!,

~ " ~ ' " : ' :It --" :--:~ : r - : -M!!!iii~'il [~ilF:',iHiiiiiii~iiii i i~-4} . . . . . . . . . . .
" l~-~4t~H~iF~tt~,it:M~i.:-"!!!!!!iiiiii i i iiiiii!~ i i i ::I!H;~i ii~

~ ~ ..................... ~ t ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -:::, : : :
ep;~,~Bs
........ i ....... I: " ? ; : ~..... L....... !o7:~::. , .... i ....... !..........
c i 2:::,4, .... i
.... .......
I : i '
I i ~ _ _ i
I
; I 4
! i"'~ 14 ' '~J~ ~-~ i

20 '=: C_J~D-UNOI.eSlze FROMNII2i SrJle SiN ! I
ao i
~5
40 : i
i 4s i oo ii 4
I loo loo
I ! ......
leo 14o i
l
'
4. . . . . .
=oo Ioo , I . . . .
I I ....... i I I I i '~ "

FIG. IS--Typical logarithmic type o/ graph.
14. Care and Cleaning of Test Sieves

14.1 Test sieves should be kept thoroughly clean and dry. After
each sieve analysis test, the sieves should be carefully cleaned and stored
in a cabinet. For cleaning the sieves, a soft brass brush (Fig. 18) is
used for sieves coarser than No. 100 (149 /zm) and a nylon brush
(Fig. 19) for sieves finer than No. 100 (149 /zm). This is done by
brushing the underside of the wire cloth with a circular motion taking
care not to exert too much pressure against the wire cloth. The frame
of the sieve may be gently tapped with the wooden handle of the brush,
taking care not to batter the edges of the frames and pans as this will
interfere with the proper fitting together of the sieve, pan, and cover.
olu! so^at.s aq~ dip ol s! p o q p t u ~sojes zq~ 'I!ej spoqlom anoqe zq~ JI
"aAO.ISoql Jo ,~oeanooe oq~ ,~oa~sop pue
q~oIo oJI~ oq~ ti t OAe0A~ oq~ U0SOOI II!ta l! ' o s I v "s~u!uodo oql o~aelUa
pu~ o~!~ oql Jo ao~otueip oq~ oonpoa iiita p!oe oq~ se 'SOA0XS ~U!Ue010 aoj
popuotutuoooa lou oae suo!lnlos p[oe lSOlA[ "uoIPe ~u!ueolO aql u[ p!~ ol
ao~,e~ oql u.[ o[!q~a poqsnaq s oq ueo OAO.tSoql Jo op!saopun o q z
9SOlOilaed qsotl1-Jeou oql oAolalo.i ol uo!lnlos zo~e~ pug deos tua~A e ul
SOAO!S oq~ q s g ~ O1 keSSOOOU 0q g e m ~! glleUO!SeooO--Sulvsv M E'*,I
9oIpoou ao ~Io!d e qllm s ~ m u o d o
oql ]o 1no pooaoj oq SOlOi~aed poppoqulo plnoqs soouelstun3j!o ou Jopttfl
"~Pl aVI u! pa~n a~ovl uoql aaVlo sgu!uado uo pattlvlaa aq
.to sgvd PlnOat lottl 98olua91ad aUlUl.talgp o1 UOlJOlod.lalu! [o oldutox~t--9I " D E I
i
, , O.~i, '.~,~
" ,T-
o~ n~
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . oe ~n
.. 3L_ ~ I1" . . . . . o~ o~
9 t t. i . _~9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . r ot
8
9 9
........ ~';t:'~ ....... 1 ....... .o
r t
]~ r ~ L
!!!iii i - ~ //r
iiilll i ' ~ i L
|ilill i
= illill i
!!!!!!! r
1[111
'1III~I I
I I
/
mill /
iiiiii i / /
iiiiii i /
a, ~g
ttIt l I d d
/
EIIIII i ," .~^
HI+tJ I .~
I}ll~ l I
iiiiii i"
.. iiiii iA
IlllLii =
i iii2;i i i
llIll
luHl!
II
........................ ~le(i
- - L ~ f l ( I ,q~&-VvI~ "JO a l d u s e S uo s!sAleu v u0~J9 S jo uiei~e}G ~3~a!(] aA!lqntun~
~t111|$ IAZl$ "$ "n
JQOHL33W 9NIA=IIS 153331 N O lVflNVW lr6
U. S. SIEVE SERIES
Cumulative Direct Diagram of Screen Analysis on Sample of SLATE DUST
Name JOHN DOE SLATE CO. Date
Pit e+mt samplt Pc, ce~t

s+mol+ P+, C+.t :.m.+It~
I.ehe+ me +, Hesh too. we,+ms w+++~ts We+lhtJ
I l t
t I +
I
4
S
4
6
~ _ _ : l t
J i !
10 12 , i
I
I
9s 30 J ~;.2 12 ~ . 6
-3
...... _ + ~..+_.__~ +
200 200
+oo J 200
L I I I
FIG. 17--Example o[ interpolation to determine the opening that would pass or

retain a given percentage of the sample.
a 5 percent solution of boiling acetic acid and, after brushing the par-
ticles from the openings, wash the sieves thoroughly in water to remove
all traces of the acid.
14.3 New Sieves New sieves should be cleaned with benzol or
other suitable solvent to remove any grease or oil before making the
tests. Alcohol is not recommended because it will attack the protec-
tive coating of lacquer usually used on the sieve frames.
14.4 Ultrasonic cleaners are available and are very useful for clean-
ing sieves. Here the sieves are immersed in a detergent solution in the
ultrasonic cleaner, which does a remarkable job of cleaning the open-
FIG. 18--Brass wire brush.
ings of near-mesh particles.

14.5 Sieves should be examined frequently for defects in the cloth.
Holes or breaks are sometimes indicated by very noticeable irregulari-
ties in the end-point weighings. Often these small holes can be repaired
by soldering, but soldering must be done with great care so that the
wire cloth is not injured by excessive heat or harmful flux.
14.6 If properly handled, a test sieve should retain the accuracy of
its openings throughout the life of the sieve, since ordinary wear is on
top of the knuckles of the wire cloth and no measurable wear occurs
in the openings.
15. Miscellaneous Suggestions
15.10verloading--A sieve is considered overloaded when there is a
crowding of oversize and near-mesh particles on the sieve surface after
the material finer than one half the sieve opening has passed through.
FIG. 19--Nylon bristle brush.
On an overloaded sieve, the weight of the oversize material will tend

to wedge the near-mesh particles into the openings, thus blocking these
openings from any further usefulness until the wedged particles are re-
moved when the sieve is cleaned.
15.2 Avoid Sieving "Aids"NAvoid the use of all so-called aids to
sieving, such as balls, shot, chains, washers, etc. They are not only
destructive to the sieve, but also may cause degradation of the sample,
thereby giving an incorrect result. If the material being tested is not
free sieving, or the fines tend to agglomerate or adhere to the larger
particles, then the operator should consider using the wet or wet-dry
method which, while it may be a little more trouble, will give more
reliable results than the use of balls, chains, etc.
15.3 Control of Static in Test SievingNWhen sieving fine powders,
such as plastics, which charge themselves with static electricity, the
addition of a small amount of powdered magnesium carbonate, trical-
cium phosphate, or similar aid, usually solves the problem and makes
it unnecessary to resort to wet testing. For a 50-g sample, add 0.5 g
of either of the above chemicals, mix the sample thoroughly so that the
particle surfaces are coated with the magnesium or other chemical, and
then proceed with the test.
15.4 Worn or Damaged Sieves--Do not continue to use a test sieve
when the wire cloth is worn; loose, or damaged. Unless facilities are
available for installing a whole new sieve cloth with proper tautness
without distortion, replacement should not be attempted.
STP447B-EB/Dec. 1985
APPENDIX
T A B L E I--U.S. standard sieve series (ASTM Desiglmtion Ella).
Sieve Designation Nominal Nominal

Sieve Wire
Standardb Alternative Opening. Diameter.
ins mma
(1) (2) (3) (4)
125 m m 5 in. 5 8.0

106 m m 4.24 in. 4.24 6.40
100 m m a 4 in.,/ 4 6.30
90 m m 31/2 in. 3.5 6.08
75 m m 3 in. 3 5.80
63 m m 21/., in. 2.5 5.50
53 m m 2.12 in. 2.12 5.15
50 m m d 2 in.,/ 2 5.05
45 m m 13/~ in. 1.75 4.85
37.5 m m 11/2 in. 1.5 4.59
31.5 m m 11/4 in. 1.25 4.23
26.5 m m 1.06 in. 1.06 3.90
25.0 ram,/ 1 in.,/ 1 3.80
22.4 m m 7/s in. 0.875 3.50
19.0 m m :3/4 in. 0.750 3.30
16.0 m m % in. 0.625 3.00
13.2 m m 0.530 in. 0.530 2.75
12.5 m m d 1/2 in.,/ 0.500 2.67
11.2 m m 7/16 in. 0.438 2.45
9.5 m m 3/s in. 0.375 2.27
8.0 m m 5/,; in. 0.312 2.07
6.7 m m 0.265 in. 0.265 1.87
6.3 m m a z/l in.,/ 0.250 1.82
5.6 m m No. 31/2 e 0.223 1.68
4.75 m m No. 4 0.187 1.54
4.00 m m No. 5 0.157 1.37
3.35 m m No. 6 0.132 1.23
2.80 m m No. 7 0.111 1.10
2.36 m m No. 8 0.0937 1.00
2.00 m m No. 10 0.0787 0.900
1.70 m m No. 12 0.0661 0.810
1.40 m m No. 14 0.0555 0.725
1.18 m m No. 16 0.0469 0.650
1.00 m m No. 18 0.0394 0.580
850 ,um/ No. 20 0.0331 0.510
710 /zm No. 25 0.0278 0.450
600 u m No. 30 0.0234 0.390
500 #m No. 35 0.0197 0.340
425 #m No. 40 0.0165 0.290
355 t~m No. 45 0.0139 0.247
300 ~tm No. 50 0.0117 0.215
250 ~m No. 60 0.0098 0. 180
212 #m No. 70 0.0083 0.152
180 #m No. 80 0.0070 0.13 I
150 t~m No. 100 0.0059 0.110
125 #m No. 120 0.0049 0.091
Copyright by ASTM Int'lby(all

Copyright9 ASTMrightsInternational
reserved); Fri Marwww.astm.org
13 13:21:38 EDT 2009
TABLE 1 - - ( C o n t i n u e d ) - - U . S. standard sieve series (ASTM Designation E 11 a).
106 #m No. 140 0.0041 0.076

90 #m No. 170 0.0035 0.064
75 #m No. 200 0.0029 0.053
63 #m No. 230 0.0025 0.044
53 #m No. 270 0.0021 0.037
45 #m No. 325 0.0017 0.030
38 #m No. 400 0.0015 0.025
" For complete specifications including permissible variations from nominal apertures and
wire diameters and method of checking and calibrating, see the most recent ASTM Designa-
tion E 11 (Vol. 14.02), issued by American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race St.,
Philadelphia, Pa 19103.
b These standard designations correspond to the values for test sieve apertures
recommended by the International Standards Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
c Only approximately equivalent to the metric values in column 1.
a These sieves are not in the standard series but they have been included be-
cause they are in common usage.
e These numbers (31/2 to 400) are the approximate number of openings per
linear inch but it is preferred that the sieve be identified by the standard designa-
tion in millimeters or t*m.
! 1000 ~m = 1 mm.
T A B L E 2--U.S. standard per/orated plates sieves ( A S T M Designation E 323a).
Sieve Designation
and Aperture Size b Centers Plate Thickness
Standard/, Alternative Standard Alternative Standard Alternative
mm in.d mm in. d mm in.d gage e
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
125 5 160 6l/4 3.4 0.1345 10
106 4Ua 135 51/~ 3.4 0.1345 10
100[ 4 128 5 3.4 0.1345 10
90 3t/., 111 4a/S 2.7 0.1046 12
75 3 95 3a/4 2.7 0.1046 12
63 2U2 80 31/~ 2.7 0.1046 12

53 2l/s 68 25/~ 2.7 0.1046 12
50! 2 64 21/'~ 2.7 0.1046 12
45 1:3/4 57 21/4 1.9 0.0747 14
37.5 11/2 48 17/a 1.9 0.0747 14
31.5 11/~ 41 15/s 1.9 0.0747 14

26.5 11/1~ 35 15lag 1.9 0.0747 14
25.0I I 32 la/4 1.9 0.0747 14
22.4 Zl~ 29 l~/~ 1.9 0.0747 14
19.0 :~14 25 t 1.9 0.0747 I4
16.0 5/s 21 13/16 1.9 0.0747 14

13.2 iT/x, 18 3/4 1.9 0.0747 14
12.5/ i/2 17 11/11~ 1.9 0.0747 14
11.2 7/1~ 15 5/s 1.9 0.0747 14
9.5 3/~ 13.0 1/., 1.9 0.0747 14
8.0 5/1i; 11.0 7/1~ 1.9 0.0747 14

6.7 17/(s4 9.9 25/64 1.5 0.0598 16
6.3/ 1/4 9.5 3/s 1.5 0.0598 16
5.6 7/:52 8.7 ll/32 1.5 0.0598 16
4.75 :~/it~ 6.8 I/1 1.5 0.0598 16
4.00 5/:r, 5.9 7/:~2 1.5 0.0598 16

3.35 0.127(1/s) 4.9 :l/l~s 1.5 0.0598 16
2.80 7/64 4.4 11/~4 1.5 0.0598 16
2.36 :~1:32 3.8 :,1:~ 1.5 0.0598 16
2.00 0.078 3.3 t/~ 1.5 0.0598 16
1.70 0.066 2.9 7/~4 0.8 0.0299 22

1.40 0.055 2.6 0.100 0.8 0.0299 22
1.18 0.045 2.2 0.090 0.8 0.0299 22
1.00 0.039 2.0 0.077 0.8 0.0299 22
" For complete specifications, including permissible variations from normal aper-
tures, plate thicknesses and other characteristics, and for method of checking, see the
most recent ASTM Designation E 323 (Vol. 14.02) issued by American Society for Test-
ing and Materials, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia. Pa. 19103.
b The values shown in this table refer to both r o u n d and square apertures. In
general, square-aperture perforated-sieve plates are available only in 3.35 m m
and larger.
c These standard designations, progressing from a base of I m m in the ratio o f
approximately N g ' ~ t o 1, correspond to the values for test sieve apertures recom-
m e n d e d by the International Standards Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
d Only approximately equivalent to the standard values.
e The gage values are for carbon steel. F o r other materials, the gage used
should be the nearest decimal equivalent of the U.S. standard gage for steel.
I TheseInt'lsieves
Copyright by ASTM are reserved);
(all rights not in the standard
Fri Mar seriesEDT
13 13:21:38 but 2009
they have been included be-
cause they
Downloaded/printed by are in c o m m o n usage.
TABLE 3--International Standard (ISO)--Test Sieves-Woven Metal Wire Cloth and
Perforated Plate Nominal Size of Apertures
MILLIMETER SIZES
Table 1 Table 2
Principal Supplementary Principal Supplementary

sizes sizes sizes sizes
(R 20/3) (R 20) (R 20/3) (R 40/3)
mm mm mE mE
125 125 125 125
112 106
100
90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0
80.0 75.0
71.0
63.0 63.0 63.0 63.0
56.0 53.0
50.0
45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0
40.0 37.5
35.5
31.5 31.5 31.5 31.5
28.0 26.5
25.0
22.4 22.4 22.4 22.4
20.0 19.0
18.0
16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0
14.0 13.2
12.5
11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2
10.0 9.50
9.00
8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00
7.10 6.70
6.30
5.60 5.60 5.60 5.60
5.00 4.75
4.50
4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
3.55 3.35
3.15
2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80
2.50 2.36
2.24
2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
1.80 1.70
1.60
1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40
1.25 1.18
1.12
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
NOTE--The proposed nominal sizes of apertures are taken from the series R 20 and
R 40/3 of preferred numbers given in ISO/R 3. Sizes below 40 ~m are based on series R'20
(Table 1) and R'40/3 (Table 2) given in ISO/R 497.
All sizes below 45 ~m are regarded as supplementary sizes, regardless of series.
TABLE 3-(Continued)-lnternational Standard (ISO)-Test Sieves-Woven Metal

Wire Cloth and PerJbrated Plate Nominal Size of Apertures
MICROMETER SIZES
Table I Table 2
Principal Supplementary Principal Supplementary

sizes sizes sizes sizes
(R 20/3) (R 20) (R 20/3) (R 40/3)
#m zm #m tLm
900 850
800
710 710 710 710
630 600
560
500 500 500 500
450 425
400
355 355 355 355
315 300
28O
250 250 250 250
224 212
200
180 180 180 180
160 150
140
125 125 125 125
112 106
100
90 90 90 90
80 75
71
63 63 63 63
56 53
50
45 45 45 45
40 38
36
32 32
28 26
25
22 22
2O
All sizes listed in R20/3 and R40/3 are included in ASTM E-11 and E-323.
Some foreign countries may use sizes listed in R/20. These are not all compatible with
E-11 or E-323.
Suggestions on Procedures for Making Sieve Analysis

with Precision Elech'oformed Sieves
Precision electroformed sieves must be considered as delicate precision
instruments and handled with the utmost care to obtain satisfactory results
and reasonable sieve life.
Sieves should conform to A S T M Specification E 161-67 and should be

calibrated or given correction factors to conform to one of the methods
given in the Appendix to Specification E 161.
When using the vibration type electromagnetic shaker, (Fig. 8), it is
recommended that the sieve or sieve stack with pan and cover be secured
to the shaker pad with two rubber bands, in such a manner that the stack
bounces and rocks slightly when the control knob is turned to the medium
or high position. Avoid the use of metal spring holders as they hold the
stack too firmly to permit the desired rocking motion. A good practice is
to hold adjacent sieves together with 3;/2 by 3/~-in. rubber bands to reduce
wear of one sieve on another, as well as to prevent escape of any air-borne
material.
When using a sifter o.f the "oscillating air column" type (see Paragraph
8.5 and Fig. 9) with electroformed sieves, follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions as the suggestions in the two preceding paragraphs would not apply.
Weighing--Samples are not removed from electroformed sieves for
weighing as there is too much danger of loss in the transfer of the small
retained fractions. This loss causes serious errors in the recorded results.
Sieves and the pan are weighed on an analytical balance before and after
the test to obtain the weights of the retained fractions.
When removing sample fractions from the sieve after the test, gently
brush and tap the contents loose from the sieve while it is held in an inverted
position. Do not attempt to dislodge particles by slapping the sieve on the
bench, because this action will spring and tear the fine mesh from its sup-
porting grid. Avoid using a sieve that has become blinded for a subsequent
test until the sieve has been cleaned and the blinding eliminated, or reduced
to less than 15 percent.
Sample sizes for tests with electroformed sieves cannot be precisely stated
because of factors such as particle shape, density, propensity to agglomerate,
size range and distribution, number of sieves used in the test, and the per-
centage of open area of the sieve. Sample sizes should be as small as prac-
ticable, and weights should be recorded to the nearest milligram. Samples
should be large enough to obtain weighable retained fractions on the sieve
without overloading any sieve as overloading increases the blinding problem.
Wet Sieving--If a sample has a preponderance of particles smaller than
4 0 / z m or cannot be dry sieved conveniently, it may be wet sieved through
electroformed sieves with a suitable polar liquid or hydrocarbon containing
a trace of dispersant. A set of sieves may be mounted in an airtight manner
on a suction flask, which can be vibrated as mild alternate suction, and
pressure applied to the flask. The sample is washed through each sieve in
turn with a fine stream of the liquid and at the same time stroked across the
sieve sheet with a 3/8-in. wide ftat lettering brush.
Cleaning and Repair--Precision electroformed sieves may be cleaned
with the aid of ultrasonic vibrations while immersed in an equivolume
mixture of denatured or isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. The sieve
should be placed in the ultrasonic cleaning tank with the sieve sheet in the
vertical position. Low-power ultrasonic energy should be used for not more
than 15 s at a time to prevent cavitation damage to the sieve sheet. Remove
the sieve, flush with distilled water, and dry in an oven at 100 C.
If the sieve sheet is broken it can be repaired by: (1) applying epoxy
resin type cement with the point of a fine needle, or (2) applying small
spheres of metal solder with a pencil point iron. In both procedures a low-
power (;4 10 to • binocular microscope is a necessary aid.
TABLE 4--Precision electroformed sieves (ASTM Designation E t6t~).
Sieve Designation, Permissible Variation Limits, Openings per

Nominal Size of of Sieve Linear Inch,~ min and
Opening) ttm Openings, #m max
1 2 3
150 147 to 153 90 to 120

125 122 to 128 110 to 145
106 104 to 108 135 to 175
90 88 to 92 160 to 210
75 73 to 77 190 to 245
63 61 to 65 225 to 290
53 51 to 55 240 to 320
45 43 to 47 260 to 350
38 36 to 40 285 to 400
32 30 to 34 380 to 500
27 25 to 29 450 to 550
22 20 to 24 450 to 550a
15 13 to 17 450 to 700,/
I0 9 to 11 450 to 800,/
5 4 to 6 450 to 1000d
a For complete specifications, including method of calibrating electroformed

sieves, see the most recent ASTM Designation E 161 issue by American Society
for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.
b These nominal size openings are approximately in a ratio of ~ to 1 for
the openings 22 #m and larger. These standard designations correspond to the
values for test sieve apertures recommended by the International Standards Or-
ganization, Geneva. Switzerland.
r These limits permit at least two adjacent sieves to be formed with the same
number of openings per inch. The percent open area must in no case be so great
that the width of metal between openings is less than 18 ~m.
d Because of their greater durability in routine testing, sieves made close to
the minimum limit are normally supplied. Sieves made close to the maximum
limit may be obtained only on special order but are preferable from the stand-
point of logical progression and better test completion time.
TABLE 5--Suggested bulk volume of test sample for sieve analysis

with 8-in. and 200-ram round sieves/'
Standard Sieve Designation Bulk Volume of Material

Recommended Volume Maximum Permitted
of Material for Volume on Sieve on
Standard Alternate Test Sample Completion of Sieving
1 2 3 4
25.0 mm 1 in. 1800 cm :~ 900 cmZ
22.4 7/.q 1600 800
19.0 :~/4 1400 700
16.0 '~/s 1000 500
12.5 U" 800 400
11.2 7/1~ 800 400
9.5 :~/s 600 300
8.0 '~/~ 500 250
6.3 l/~ 400 200
5.6 No. 3 t/._, 400 200
4.0 No. 5 350 150
2.80 No. 7 240 120
2.0 No. I0 200 100
1.40 No. 14 160 80
1.0 No. 18 140 70
710 #m No. 25 120 60
500 No. 35 100 50
355 No. 45 80 40
250 No. 60 70 35
180 No. 80 60 30
125 No. 120 50 25
90 No. 170 40 20
63 No. 230 35 17
45 No. 325 30 15
38 No. 400 25 12
The recommended weight of material for a sieve test sample is calculated by

multiplying the bulk volume figure in Column 3 by the particular bulk density in
grams per cubic centimeter of the material, rounded out within a tolerance of
+25 percent. If the density figure for the material being tested is not readily
available, use the factor of the nearest similar material shown in Table 6.
TABLE 6-Typical bulk densities of various particulate materials.

(Weights, per unit of volume, are of divided, crushed, or
pulverized materials in freely poured condition.")
Average Weight Average Weight

Material Lbs/Ft 3 G/Cm 3 Material Lbs/Ft 3 G/Cm 3
Alumina 44 1.23 Garnet 168 2.69
Aluminum, Glass beads 76 1.22
calcined 128 2.05 Glass, crushed 66 1.06
Aluminum oxide 122 1.96 Glass cullet 93 1 A9
Aluminum shot 96 1.54 Granite, crushed 95 tol00 1.52 to 1.60
Ammonium nitrate 48 0.77 Gravel 90to 100 1.44 to 1.60
Ammonium Gypsum, calcined 58 0.93
sulphate 61 0.98 Gypsum, crushed 90 to 100 1.44 to 1.60
Asbestos ore 54 0.87 Irone ore 120 to 150 1.92 to 2.40
Bagasse 6 0.09 Kaolin 160 2.56
Bauxite ore 75 to 85 1.20 to 1.36 Kyanite 68 1.09
Bentonite 50 to 65 0.80 to 1.04 Lime, ground 60 0.96
Bicarbonate of Lime, hydrated 25 0A0
soda 57 0.91 Limestone,
Borax 50 to 61 0.80 to 0.98 crushed 85 to I00 1.36 to 1.60
Boric acid 58 0.93 Limestone,
Calcite 90 to 105 1.44 to 1.68 agricultural 70 1.12
Calcium carbide 75 1.20 Magnesite 106 1.70
Calcium Magnetite 155 2.49
carbonate 49 0.79 Manganese ore 120 to I36 1.92 to 2.18
Calcium chloride 64 1.03 Marble, crushed 90 to 95 1.44 to 1.52
Calcium Metals, powdered
phosphate 57 0.91 Aluminum 80 1.28
Carbon black 24 0.33 Copper 169 2.71
Cellulose powder 16 0.26 Copper-lead 364 5.84
Cement, Iron 243 3.90
portland 90 to 100 1.44 to 1.60 Nickel 263 4.22
Cement clinker 75 to 80 1.20 to 1.28 Stainless steel 240 3.85
Chrome ore 140 2.25 Tantalum 300 4.80
Clay 30 to 75 0.48 to 1.20 Mica 42 0.67
Coal, anthracite 55 0.88 Ore, sintered 114 1.83
Coal, bituminous 50 0.88 Oyster shells,
Coke breeze 25 to 35 0.40 to 0.56 ground 29 0.47
Coke, petroleum 25 to 40 0.40 to 0.64 Perlite ore 65 to 75 1.04 to 1.20
Copper ore 100 to 150 1.60 to 2.40 Piaster, calcined 64 1.03
Coquina shell 80 1.28 Polyethylene
Corn starch 40 0.64 pellets 36 0.58
Diatomaceous Polyethylene
earth 31 0.5, powder 18 0.29
L~icalcium Poly (vinyl chloride) 30 0.48
phosphate 64 1.03 Potash 77 1.23
Dolomite, Potassium
crushed 90 to 100 1.44 to 1.60 carbonate 79 1.27
Feldspar, crushed 6 5 t o 8 4 1.04 to 1.35 Pumice 40 0.64
Ferrophosphorous 196 3.1 t I~ubber, chopped 36 0.58
Fire clay 80 1.28 ]2ubber, ground 20 0.32
Flour, wheat 24 0.38 Phosphate rock 75 to 85 1.20 to 1.36
Flour, maize 37 0.59 Salt, flake 61 0.98
Fluorspar 90 to 120 1.44 to 1.9-'2 Salt, rock 65 1.06
Fly ash 49 0.79 Salt. table 75 1.20
Fullers earth 30 to 40 0.48 to 0.6 i Sand 90 to 100 1.44 to 1.60
TABLE 6--(Continued)--Typical bulk densities of various particulate materials.

Average Weight Average Weight
Material Lbs/Ft 3 G/Cm a Material Lbs/Ft a G/Cm a
Sand, silica 90 to 100 1.44 to 1.60 Sugar, granulated 50 0.80
Sawdust 18 0.29 Sugar, powdered 37 0.59
Seacoal 42 0.67 Sulphur, crushed 50 to 65 0.80 to 1.04
Shale 100 1.60 Talc, powder 34 0.55
Shot, metal 230 3.69 Talc, granular 44 0.71
Silica flour 27 0.43 Traprock,
Silica gel 45 0.72 crushed 105 to 110 1.68 to 1.76
Soapstone, Triple superphos-
pulverized 40 0.64 phate, granular 64 t .03
Soda ash, light 25 to 35 0.40 to 0.56 Tungsten carbide 550 8.82
Soda ash, heavy 55 to 65 0.88 to 1.04 Urea prills 43 0.69
Soda, bicarbonate 57 0.91 Vermiculite ore 80 1.28
Sodium nitrate 78 1.25 Wood chips 13 0.21
Sodium phosphate 43 0.69 Zinc dust 144 2.31
Sodium sulfate 96 1.54 Zirconium oxide 200 3.22
Steel grit 228 3.66 Zirconium sand 162 2.60
Stone, crushed 85 to 95 1.36 to 1.52
a Where a single figure is given, it represents an actual weight of a typical

average sample of the material recorded by a research laboratory; therefore,
the figure can be expected to vary from sample to sample of the same material.
TABLE 7--List of ASTM published standards on sieve analysis procedures for

specific materials or industries.
ASTM Sieve.No.
Desig- or Size
Material nation Title of Standard Range Dry Wet
Activated
Carbon . . . . . . . . D 2862 Particle Size Distribution of Gran- 200 X
ular Activated Carbon (Vol. 15.01)
Aggregates . . . . . C 117 Test for Materials Finer Than No. 200 X
200 Sieve in Mineral Aggregates
by Washing" (Vols. 4.02, 4.03)
C 125 Definitions of Terms Relating to
Concrete and Concrete Aggre-
gates (Vols. 4.02, 4.03)
C 136 Test for Sieve Analysis of Fine 3~z in.-200 X
and Coarse Aggregates ~ (Vols.
4.02, 4.03)
C 142 Test for Clay Lumps and Friable 11/4 in.-20 X
Particles in Aggregates (Vols.
4.02, 4.03)
C 144 Specification for A g g r e g a t e for 4-200 X
Masonry Mortar (Vols. 4.02, 4.05)
C 330 Specifications for Lightweight l in.-100 X X
Aggregates for Structural Con-
crete (Vol. 4.02)
C 331 Specifications for Lightweight :~/4in.-100 X X
Aggregates for Concrete Ma-
sonry Units (Vols. 4.02, 4.05)
T A B L E 7--(Continued)--List of ASTM published standards on sieve analysis

procedures ]br specific materials or industries.
ASTM Sieve No.

Desig- or Size
Asbestos . . . . . . . . D 2589 Test for Bauer-McNett Wet Clas- 4-325 X

sification of Asbestos F i b e r (Vols.
4.05, 7.02, 8.02)
D 2947 Method for Screen Analysis of As- 4-70 X
bestos F i b e r s (Vols. 4.05, 7.02,
8.02)
Asphalt . . . . . . . . . D 244 Testing Emulsified Asphalts (Vol. 20 X
4.03)
Carbon black . . . . D 1508 Test Method for Carbon Black, 100 X
Pelleted Fines Content (Vol. 9.01)
D 1511 Test Method for Carbon Black, 10-120 X
Pellet Size Distribution (Vol. 9.01)
D 1514 T e s t Method for Sieve Residue 30-325 X
from Carbon Black (Vol. 9.01)
Cement . . . . . . . . . C 184 Test Method for Fineness of Hy- 100
draulic C e m e n t by t h e No. 100 200 X
and 200 Sieves (Vol. 4.0I)
C 430 Test Method for Fineness of Hy- 325 X
draulic Cement by the No. 325
Sieve (Vol. 4.01)
C 786 F i n e n e s s of Hydraulic C e m e n t 100-325 X
(Vol. 4.01)
C e r a m i d ~ . . . . . . . C 325 Method for Wet Sieve Analysis of 100-325 X
Ceramic W h i t e w a r e Clays (Vol.
15.02)
C 371 Test for Wire-Cloth Sieve Analy- 70-325 X
sis of Nonplastic Ceramic Materi-
als ~
C 925 Precision Electroformed Wet 100-400 X
Sieve Analysis of Nonplastic Ce-
ramic Powders (Vol. 15.02)
Clays . . . . . . . . . . . C 775 Particle Size Analysis of White- 10-325 X
ware Clays (Vol. 15.02)
Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . D 197 Sampling and F i n e n e s s Test of 8-325 X
Pulverized Coal ~ (Vol. 5.05)
D 310 Test Method for Size of Anthra- 4~Ysin.-:~/l~;in. X
cite" (Vol. 5.05)
D311 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of 1 in.-6 X
Crushed Bituminous Coal ~' (Vol.
5.O5)
D 409 Grindability of Coal by Hard- :~8-200 X
grove Machine Method (Vol. 5.05)
D 410 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of 8 in.-200 X
Coal (' (Vol. 5.05)
D 431 Method for Designating the Size 8 in.-200 X
of Coal from its Sieve Analysis
(Vol. 5.05)
Coke . . . . . . . . . . . D 293 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of 4 in.-0 X
Coke" (Vol. 5.05)
Enamel . . . . . . . . . C 285 Methods for Sieve Analysis of 40-325 X X
Wet Milled and Dry Milled Porce-
lain Enamel (Vol. 15.02)
T A B L E 7--(Continued)--List of ASTM published standards on sieve analysis

procedures for specific materials or industries.
ASTM Sieve No.

Desig- or Size
Material nation Title of S t a n d a r d Range Dry W e t
Glass . . . . . . . . . . . C 429 Method for Sieve Analysis of Raw 8-200 X X

Materials for Glass Manufacture a
(Vol. 15.02)
D 1214 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of
Glass Spheres (Vol. 4.02, 4.08)
Lime . . . . . . . . . . . C 110 Physical T e s t i n g of Quicklime, 20-325 X
H y d r a t e d Lime, and Limestone
(Vol. 4.01)
C 141 Specification for Hydraulic Hy- 20-200 X
d r a t e d Lime for S t r u c t u r a l Pur-
poses (Vol. 4.01)
Magnesium
Oxide . . . . . . . . . D2772 Method for Sieve Analysis of 20-200 X
Electrical Grade Magnesium Ox-
ide (Vol. 10.02)
Metal bearing
ores . . . . . . . . . . E 276 T e s t for Particle Size or Screen 4-200 X X
Analysis at No. 4 Sieve and F i n e r
for Metal B e a r i n g Ores and Re-
lated Materials a (Vol. 3.05)
E 389 Test Method for Particle Size or 4 X
Screen Analysis at No. 4 Sieve
and C o a r s e r for Metal B e a r i n g
Ores and Related Materials (Vol.
3.05)
Metal powders . .B 214 Test for Sieve Analysis of Granu- 80-325 X
lar Metal Powders (Vol. 2.05)
~ineral ......... D 451 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of 6-100 X
G r a n u l a r Mineral Surfacing for
Asphalt Roofing Products ~ (Vols.
4.02, 4.04, 4.08)
D 452 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of 12-200 X
N o n g r a n u l a r Mineral Surfacing
for Asphalt Roofing and Shingles ~
(Vols. 4.02, 4.04, 4.08)
D 546 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of X
Mineral Filler for Road and Pav-
ing Materials (Vols. 4.03, 4.08)
Perlite . . . . . . . . . . C 549 Specification for P e r l i t e Loose 16-100 X
Fill Insulation a (Vol. 4.06)
Pigments and
paint . . . . . . . . . . D 185 Test Method for Coarse Particles 325 X X
in P i g m e n t s , P a s t e s , and P a i n t s
(Vols. 6.01, 6.02)
D 480 Methods of Sampling and Testing 100-325 X
A l u m i n u m P o w d e r and P a s t e a
(Vol. 6.02)
D 718 Methods of Analysis of Aluminum 325 X
Silicate Pigment (Vol. 6.02)
Plastic . . . . . . . . . . D 1921 T e s t Method for Particle Size X
(Sieve Analysis) of Plastic Materi-
als (Vol. 8.02)
TABLE 7--(Continued)--List of ASTM published standards on sieve analysis

procedures for specific materials or industries.
ASTM Sieve No.

Desig- or Size
Refractories . . . . C 92 Tests for Sieve Analysis and Wa- 3-200 X X

t e r Content of Refractory Materi-
als (Vol. 15.01)
Refuse Derived
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . E 828 Designating the Size of REF-3 4-325 X
from its Sieve Analysis (Vol.
11.04)
Resins . . . . . . . . . . D 1457 Specification for P T F E Molding 18-325 X
and E x t r u s i o n Materials (Vol.
8.01)
D 1705 Method for Particle Size Analysis 325 X
of Powdered Polymers and Copol-
y m e r s of Vinyl Chloride (Vol.
8.02)
D 2187 Test Methods for Physical and 8-100 X
Chemical P r o p e r t i e s of Ion-Ex-
change Resins" (Vol. 11.02)
Sand . . . . . . . . . . . C 778 Specification for S t a n d a r d Sand 16-100 X
(Vol. 4.01)
Soap . . . . . . . . . . . . D 502 Test Method for Particle Size of 12-100 X
Soaps and Other Detergents (Vol.
15.04)
Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . D 421 Dry Preparation of Soil Samples 4-40 X
for Particle-Size Analysis and De-
t e r m i n a t i o n of Soil C o n s t a n t s
(Vol. 4.08)
D 422 Method for Particle-Size Analysis 3 in.-200 X
of Soils (Vol. 4.08)
D 1140 T e s t for Amount of Material in 40-200 X
Soils F i n e r Than the No. 200
Sieve (Vol. 4.08)
D 2217 Method for Wet P r e p a r a t i o n of 10-40 X
Soil Samples for Particle-Size
Analysis and Determination of
Soil Constants (Vol. 4.08)
D 2419 Test for Sand Equivalent Value of 4-200 X
Soils and Fine A g g r e g a t e (Vols.
4.02, 4.03, 4.08)
D 2487 Test for Classification of Soils for 4-200 X X
Engineering Purposes (Vol. 4.08)
Vermiculite . . . . . C 516 Specification for Vermiculite :~4-100 X
Loose Fill Thermal Insulation a
(Vol. 4.06)
a Contains suggestions on sampling.
T A B L E 8--List of ASTM published standards on sampling of

particulate materials.
ASTM
Desig-
Material nation Title of Standard
Aggregates . . . . . . . D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates (Vols. 4.02, 4.03,
4.O8)
Asbestos fiber . . . . D 2590 Method of Sampling Asbestos Fiber for Testing (Vols.
4.05, 7.02, 8.02)
Bituminous
materials . . . . . . . D 140 Methods of Sampling Bituminous Materials (Vols. 4.03,
4.08)
D 979 Methods of Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures
(Vols. 4.03, 4.08)
Calcium chloride ..D 345 Methods of Sampling and Testing Calcium Chloride for
Roads and Structural Applications (Vols. 4.02, 4.03,
4.O8)
Carbon black . . . . . D 1799 Method for Sampling Bulk Shipments of Carbon Black
(Vol. 5.02)
D 1900 Method for Sampling Bulk Shipments of Carbon Black
(Vol. 9.01)
Cement . . . . . . . . . . C 183 Methods of Sampling and Acceptance of Hydraulic Ce-
ment (Vols. 4.01, 4.03)
Ceramic clays . . . . C 322 Method of Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays (Vol.
15.02)
Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . D 197 Method of Sampling and Fineness Test of Pulverized
Coal (Vol. 5.05)
D 2013 Method of Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis (Vol.
5.O5)
D 2234 Methods for Sampling of Coal (Vol. 5.05)
Coke . . . . . . . . . . . . . D 346 Method of Sampling Coke for Analysis (Vol. 5.05)
Electrical
insulating
materials . . . . . . . D 2755 Method of Sampling and Reduction to Test Weight of
Electrical Grade Magnesium Oxide (Vol. 10.02)
Lime and
limestone . . . . . . . C 50 Methods of Sampling, Inspection, Packing, and Mark-
ing of Lime and Limestone Products (Vols. 4.01, 4.03)
Metal powders . . . . B 215 Methods of Sampling Finished Lots of metal Powders
(Vol. 2.05)
Plastics . . . . . . . . . . D 1898 Recommended Practice for Sampling of Plastics (Vol.
8.02)
Soap powders . . . . D 460 Methods for Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Soap
and Soap Products (Vol. 15.04)
Statistical
probabilities . . . . E 105 Recommended Practice for Probability Sampling of
Materials (Vols. 4.03, 7.01, 14.02)
E 122 Recommended Practice for Choice of Sample Size to
Estimate the Average Quality of a Lot or Process (Vol.
14.02)
E 141 Recommended Practice for Acceptance of Evidence
Based on the Results of Probability Sampling (Vol.
14.02)
Nomenclature
General Terms
Agglomerate Two or more particles held together loosely by
weak mechanical or physical forces.
Aperture Dimensions defining an opening in a screening
surface.
Bailing Agglomeration of particles into a very loose or
feathery mass usually in a liquid.
Bulk density Ratio of the mass of a material to its volume, in a
freely poured condition.
Disperse To separate an agglomerate or floe into measurable
entities or workable particles.
Effective opening The size of the largest particle that will pass a
screen aperture.
Flocculate An assembly of particles bonded together by strong
molecular or chemical forces.
Near-mesh or
near-size Particles of a size approximately equal to that of
the sieve aperture.
Open area Ratio of the total area of the apertures to the total
area of the screen, expressed as a percentage.
Particle size The dimension of a particle, usually expressed in
terms of the smallest sieve aperture through which
it will pass.
Particulate Pertaining to a material composed of distinct sep-
arate particles.
Representative
sample A sample taken from a larger quantity of material
which retains, within close limits, the particle size
distribution characteristics of the original material
from which it was taken.
Screen (a) A surface provided with apertures of uniform
size and shape; (b) a machine provided with one or
more screening surfaces.
Screening The process of separating a mixture of different
sizes by means of one or more screening surfaces.
Sieve A screen mounted on a frame, usually for labor-
atory test purposes.
Test Sieves
Certified sieve A test sieve that has been examined and certified
by an authority, accredited for the purpose, as
complying with the specifications and tolerances
of the applicable standard.
Cover (lid) A cover which fits snugly over a sieve to prevent
the escape of material being sieved.
Matched sieve A test sieve that duplicates the results of a master
sieve within specified limits.
Nesting pan A pan with nesting skirt for use in a stack of sieves
to permit two or more separate sieve tests to be
made simultaneously, usually with a mechanical
sieve shaker.
Pan (receiver) A pan which fits snugly beneath a sieve to receive
the passing fraction.
Sieve cloth series Sieve cloth woven to a mathematically defined set
of aperture widths, wire diameters, and tolerances.
Sieve frame A rigid framework which supports the sieving
medium and limits the spread of the material being
sieved.
Sieve scale A series of sieve apertures having a systematic
mathematical progression.
Skirt The portion of the sieve frame which extends
below the sieving surface and nests into the next
finer sieve of receiving pan.
Standard sieve A sieve which conforms to a standard specification
for test sieves.
Test Sieving
Cumulative oversize
distribution graph A graph obtained by plotting the total percentages
by weight retained on each of a set of sieves of
descending aperture size against the corresponding
aperture sizes.
Cumulative undersize
distribution graph A graph obtained by plotting the total percentages
by weight passing each of a set of sieves of de-
scending aperture size against the corresponding
aperture sizes.
Dry sieving Sieving without the aid of a liquid.
End point The stopping point in a sieve test at which further
sieving fails to pass an amount sufficient to change
the result.
Gross sample A representative sample taken from a large volume
of material that is too large to use in a test sieve.
Laboratory sample See test sample.
Sieve analysis The results of a sieve test showing the percentages
of sample retained on (or passing) each sieve used
in the test.
Size analysis The results of dividing a sample into fractions of
defined limits. (See also sieve analysis.)
Size distribution
graph A graphical representation of the results of a sieve
analysis test.
Size range The limits between the smallest and the largest
particle in a sample.
Test sample A representative sample that is small enough to use
directly in a test sieve or series of sieves.
Test sieving Sieving with one or more test sieves to determine

the particle size distribution of a particulate mate-
rial.
Wet sieving Sieving with the aid of a suitable liquid.
Production Screening
Feed Material supplied to a screen for screening.
Oversize That portion of the feed material which has failed
to pass through the apertures of a screen.
Oversize in
undersize Particles in a screen undersize which are larger
than the nominal point of separation.
Point of
separation In a screening operation, the size of aperture which
will allow undersize particles to pass and will reject
oversize particles.
Screen efficiency The percentage of recovery of the desired portion
(usually the undersize) from the amount available
in the feed.
Undersize (fines) That portion of the feed material which has passed
through the apertures of a screen.
Undersize in
oversize Particles in a screen oversize which are smaller
than the nominal point of separation.
Woven Wire Cloth

Double crimp Wire cloth woven with approximately equal cor-
rugations in both warp and shoot to lock the wires
in position.
Mesh (a) The number of apertures per unit of length;
(b) in countries using English measure, the number
of openings, and fraction thereof, per linear inch
counting from the center of a wire.
Plain weave Wire cloth in which each warp wire and each shoot
wire passes over one and under the next adjacent
wire in both directions.
Rectangular mesh Mesh with unequal aperture widths in warp and
shoot direction.
Shoot wires The wires running crosswise of the cloth as woven
(also called "shute wires").
Space cloth Wire cloth which is designated by the clear opening
between the wires instead of by the mesh.
Square mesh Mesh with equal aperture widths in warp and shoot
direction.
Twilled weave Wire cloth in which each shoot wire passes succes-
sively over two and under two warp wires and each
warp wire passes successively over two and under
two shoot wires.
Warp wires The wires running the long way of the cloth as
woven,
Weft wires See shoot wires.
Perforated Plate
Bridge width Distance between the nearest edges of two adjacent
holes in a perforated plate.
Hole size In perforated plate, the diameter of the round hole;
width of the square hole at its mid-section; smallest
width of the oblong hole.
Margin Distance between the outside edges of the outside
rows of holes and the edges of a perforated plate.
Perforated plate A plate with uniform holes, in symmetrical arrange-
ment.
Pitch Distance between the centers of two adjacent holes
in a perforated plate.
Electroformed Sieves
Electroformed
mesh A sieve sheet formed by electrodeposition on photo-
sensitized, machine-ruled lines.
Micromesh Synonym for electroformed mesh.
Nominal size The specified dimension of the opening of a sieve
about which the actual size is permitted to vary.
Sieve sheet The sieving plate composed of the fine electro-
formed mesh bonded to the supporting grid.
Supporting grid A relatively thick sheet of metal having large, uni-
form, square openings to which the fine mesh is
bonded for support.
References
Allen, T., Particle Size Measurement, Chapman and Hall, London, 1968.
Orr, C., Jr., Particulate Technology, Macmillan, New York, 1966.
Cadle, R. D., Particle Size, Reinhold, New York, 1965.
Irani, R. R. and Callis, C. F., Particle Size: Measurement, Interpretation and
Application, Wiley, New York, 1963.
Herdan, G., Small Particle Statistics, 2nd ed., Academic, New York, 1960.
Batel, W., Einfuhrung in die Korngrossenmesstechnik, Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
1960.
Orr, C., Jr., and Dalla Valle, J. M., Fine Particles Measurement: Size Surface and
Pore Volume, Macmillan, New York, 1959.
Rose, H. E., Measurement of Particle Size in Very Fine Powders, Chemical, New
York, 1954.
Dalla Valle, J. M., Micrometritics, The Technology of Fine Particles, 2nd ed., Pit-
man, New York, 1948.
"Particle Size Analysis," Analytical Chemistry, Society of Analytical Chemistry,
London, 1967.
"Powders in Industry," SCI Monograph 14, 1961 Society of Chemical Industry,
London.
Particle Size Measurement. A S T M STP 234, American Society for Testing and Ma-
terials, Philadelphia, 1959.
"The Physics of Particle Size Analysis," British Journal of Applied Physics, Supple-
ment No. 3, Institute of Physics, London, 1954.
"Particle Size Analysis," Supplement to Transactions, Institute of Chemical Engi-
neers, London, Vol. 25, 1947.
New Methods for Particle Size Determination in the Subsieve Range, A S T M STP
51, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1941.
Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes, ASTM Standard E-11
(Vol. 14.02), American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1981.
Specification for Precision Electroformed Sieves, ASTM Standard E-161 (Vol.
14.02), American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1977.
Specification for Perforated-Plate Sieves for Testing Purposes, ASTM Standard E-
323 (Vol. 14.02), American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia,
1980.
Specification for Industrial Wire Cloth and Screens r Opening Series),
ASTM Standard E-437 (Vol. 14.02), American Society for Testing and Materi-
als, Philadelphia, 1980.
Specification for Industrial Perforated Plate and Screens (Square Opening Series),
ASTM Standard E-454 (Vol. 14.02), American Society for Testing and Materi-
als, Philadelphia, 1980.

ASTM Sieving Test Methods Manual

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Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Fri Mar 13 13:21:38 EDT 2009

ASTM SPECIAL TECHNICAL PUBLICATION 447 B

1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103

ASTM Committee E-29 on Particle Size Measurement.

(ASTM special technical publication; 447B)

Copyright 9 by AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS 1985

This manual on test sieving methods is intended for use as a supplement

Liquid Particle Size Measurement Techniques, STP 848 (1984),

Table S--Suggested bulk volume of test sample for sieve

Copyright9 by ASTM International www.astm.org

1. Wire Cloth Sieves

mm (5 to 0.127 in.) and with round apertures from 125 to 1 mm (5

3. Precision Electroformed Sieves

Thus when greater accuracy is required equipment of this type enables

5. Samples and Sampling

pound (or kilogram). For detailed sampling instructions and suggested

3 Mechanical sampling devices are described in ASTM Methods for Mechanical

~For further details on sampling from carloat shipments of fine granular

FIG. 1--Coning and quartering of sample.

of material. Always make sure that the passages in the splitter or

FIG. 2-Sample splitter.

necessary. For a finely ground product, a sample of 25 to 100 g could

FIG. 3--Sixteen to one sample reducer.

FIG. 4--Mechanical sieve shaker with tapper.

FIG. 5--Mechanical sieve shaker.

FIG. 6--Mechanical shaker/or large sieves.

10 to 30 min may be necessary. Prolonged sieving time should be avoided

FIG. 7--Electromagnetic sieve shaker.

FIG. 8--Electromagnetic vibration pad sieve shaker.

FIG. 9--Oscillating air column type sieve shaker.

period. This is a good procedure to follow when no control can be

FIG. l O - - W e t test setup with mechanical sieve shaker.

exceed about 2 3 0 F ( l l 0 C ) . Weigh the residue. This procedure is

weight checks at intervals until no significant change occurs. If an oven

LABORATORY REPORT OF SIEVE ANALYSIS

t.~,ll~t P , ~ l e k . . . . . . . . . . . . . rime . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mln,t~ . . . . . . . . . . .

7.6 ! 15.3 38.0 62.0

6.O i 12.0 50.0 i 50.0

9 |40 I 5.5 ! ll.O 73.0 [ 27.0

P,, Pa, io,o ! po.o io0.0 '

Total. [~.0 100.0

FIG. 12--Laboratory Jorrn ]or recording s i e r e test results.

centage passing each sieve. Figure 12 shows a typical laboratory report

U. S. SIEVE SERIES SIEVES

Name ........... d'_~..I~__-s-I~..~_._.cqe ..................... Date ........................................... T e s t N u m b e r __18_-_5__0Q. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address ........................................................................................ Made by .... E~B.. ..........................

Material . . . . S .I,A__'I~. DU3__~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moisture .... N0~_. .........................

(A) (s) (c) (O) (E) (r)

FIG. 1 3 - - F o r m /or reporting a group of sieve analyses results.

Name~Oi~ D~ SLA'I~ CO. D~e . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i i i pc, ce~t Per Ce~t

,o ,= .___ I~2ST~eI~EE~-. NO. 2 SCREE~

FIG. 14--Typical linear (arithmetic) type o] graph.

~iIilHiHl!!Mfl~li~s~ttHfl~l-i i ii; ii iilJ~!!ii i!lii i;;!iiii"] L-i"ii--':::.'i.i!!]iII II I

.: , ~+-~-~n-,-§ ~ ,. ,::::::::::il~iiii ', : ', ,:,xt!!i!t!!,

" l~-~4t~H~iF~tt~,it:M~i.:-"!!!!!!iiiiii i i iiiiii!~ i i i ::I!H;~i ii~

! i"'~ 14 ' '~J~ ~-~ i

I I ....... i I I I i '~ "

14. Care and Cleaning of Test Sieves

Pit e+mt samplt Pc, ce~t

FIG. 17--Example o[ interpolation to determine the opening that would pass or

FIG. 18--Brass wire brush.

ings of near-mesh particles.

FIG. 19--Nylon bristle brush.

Material . . . . S .I,A'I~. DU3~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moisture .... N0~_. .........................