Definition:
Sieves are devices with mesh or perforated surfaces used to separate particles based on size.
Construction:
Made from woven wire mesh, perforated metal plates, or electroformed mesh.
Mesh number indicates the number of openings per linear inch. Higher mesh numbers have smaller openings.
Use in Size Separation:
Particles are separated by being passed through a stack of sieves with progressively smaller openings.
The process involves shaking or vibrating the sieves to facilitate particle movement and separation.
Common Mesh Sizes:
No. 8: 2.36 mm
No. 20: 850 µm
No. 40: 425 µm
No. 60: 250 µm
No. 80: 180 µm
No. 100: 150 µm
Sieve Shaker:
A mechanical device that ensures consistent and repeatable shaking to improve the efficiency and accuracy of size separation.
Applications:
Used in quality control and research laboratories for particle size distribution analysis.
Common in industries like pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals, and construction.
Advantages:
Simple and cost-effective.
Provides precise and reliable particle size distribution data.
Disadvantages:
Time-consuming for large samples.
Potential for mesh clogging with fine or sticky materials.