Sylab Scientific[/caption]
is a circular frame holding a mesh screen, used to separate particles by size. In industries and labs, sieves help check the uniformity and quality of powders, grains, chemicals, and more. The process of sorting particles by size using a stack of sieves is known as sieve analysis. Smaller particles pass through finer meshes; larger ones remain above.
Types of Test Sieves
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Woven Wire Mesh Sieves
These are made of stainless steel wires woven together, forming precise slits. They are ideal for dry materials—powders, granules, aggregates. -
Perforated Plate Sieves
Here, a metal plate has holes (round or square). These sieves are tougher and suitable for coarse or heavy particles like stones, coal, or gravel. -
Wet Washing Sieves
Designed with deeper frames, these are used when water helps separate fine particles. Common in mining, cement, and pharma. -
Air Jet Sieves
For ultra-fine powders, an air flow is combined with vibration to prevent clogging and assist separation.
Materials of Construction
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Stainless Steel
The most common: corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, works in wet or dry environments. -
Brass
Used for specialized, delicate samples where a stiffer or softer mesh is beneficial. -
Nickel / Nickel-Plated Mesh
Offers high precision, especially in electroformed or ultrafine applications. -
Plastic or Polycarbonate Frames
Useful when chemical resistance or lightweight handling is needed, especially for wet sieving.
How to Select the Right Test Sieve
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Know your material. Understand particle size, moisture, abrasiveness.
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Pick the proper mesh size. The “mesh number” tells you how many openings per inch—the higher the number, the finer the sieve.
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Choose frame material wisely. Use stainless steel for general purposes; brass or plastic when working with special samples or chemicals.
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Decide wet vs. dry sieving. Use wet sieving when particles clump or fine dust is involved.
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Match your equipment. Sieves should fit your sieve shaker, air jet system, or other lab tools.
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Follow standards. Use sieves that comply with ISO (e.g. ISO 3310 series) or ASTM E11 standards to ensure consistency and reliability.
Typical Mesh Size Ranges
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Coarse: ~4 to 38 mesh
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Medium: ~45 to 150 mesh
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Fine: ~160 to 400 mesh
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Ultra-Fine: up to ~635 mesh
This range allows classification from large granules all the way down to fine powders.
Use, Maintenance & Common Issues
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Cleaning & Care: Use a soft brush or cloth, mild detergent if necessary. Avoid sharp tools or abrasive cleaners. Store in a dry, dust-free environment.
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Routine Inspection: Check for bent frames or broken mesh. Damaged sieves must be replaced—they compromise accuracy.
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Common Problems & Fixes:
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Warped Frame: Replace — cannot be corrected reliably.
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Torn or Holes in Mesh: Replace, or results will skew.
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Inconsistent Results: Recalibrate, standardize sample loading, use sieves that comply with standard tolerances.
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Stacking / Fit Issues: Ensure sieves match in diameter and follow correct order in the sieve stack.
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