Build a Particle Size Analysis Workstation
Particle size analysis is not one tool — it is a short workflow. A test sieve does the separating, a forced-air oven removes moisture first, a pan + lid collects the fractions, and a stack of mesh sizes turns one sieve into a graded breakdown.
Xin Tester supplies every piece from a single catalogue. Below we lay out the four components, the five-step workflow, and three ready bundles so you can specify the exact set instead of guessing which sieve to buy.
Particle size decides whether the material passes or fails
Gradation controls concrete strength, powder flow, soil compaction and mineral recovery. A lone sieve only separates one cut. The four-part set covers drying, sieving, collecting and grading — so the result is repeatable and defensible, not a one-off guess.
Five steps from sample to fractions
Each step maps to a component in the set. Skip one and the result drifts — most "bad sieving" is actually a missing drying or collection step.
Sample Prep & Splitting
Take a representative aliquot and split to the test portion; break lumps by hand.
›Oven Drying to Constant Mass
Forced-air oven at method temperature (commonly 105–110 °C) until mass is stable — removes moisture that causes clumping.
›Dry Tare Weighing (M₀)
Weigh the dry sample to get M₀; every later fraction is expressed against this dry mass.
›Sieve Stacking & Agitation
Nest coarsest-on-top with pan + lid; shake/agitate until practically no more passes.
›Fraction Mass Balance Check
Weigh each retained fraction; totals should reconcile with M₀ within method tolerance.
The components of the set
Two are the core instruments; the other two are the collection and grading pieces that make a result usable. For the full aperture table, frame sizes and mesh chart, see our Test Sieve Precision Guide.
Test Sieve
Forced-Air Drying Oven
Pan + Lid Set
Multi-Size Stack
Two instruments we actually carry
The sieve and the oven are the backbone of the set. Both are stocked in several sizes and configurations.
Full 304 SS Test Sieve, 8″ / 20 cm (3–2800 mesh)
Forced-Air Drying Oven, 15 L–240 L
Pure 304 SS Test Sieve, 4″ / 10 cm (4–500 mesh)
20 cm Nylon Sieve, PVC Frame (6–800 mesh)
Three bundles, one purchase list
Prices are indicative starter configurations — final cost follows the exact sizes and mesh counts you specify. Confirm the build with us before ordering.
- 1 × 20 cm 304 SS test sieve
- Receiving pan + lid
- For single-cut checks
- 3–4 sieves across the mesh range
- Pan + lid for each cut
- Graded distribution in one run
- Sieve stack (6–40 cm)
- Forced-air drying oven
- Pan + lid collection set
Four typical application scenarios
The same four-part set serves grading work from construction to mining — only the mesh range changes.
Aggregate & Sand Testing
Gradation of concrete and asphalt aggregates; check the 4.75 mm / 9.5 mm / 19 mm cuts.
Soil Testing
Particle-size distribution of soils for compaction and classification (AASHTO / USCS).
Powder Quality Control
Batch-to-batch consistency of industrial powders, ceramics and additives.
Mining & Mineral Testing
Run-of-mine and concentrate sizing for recovery and process control.
Why the drying step is not optional
Most failed sieving is a moisture problem in disguise. Dry the sample, then sieve — otherwise fine powder balls up and never reaches the right pan.
Take a representative sample and split to the test portion; break obvious lumps by hand without forcing them through the mesh.
Heat to the method temperature (commonly 105–110 °C) until mass is stable. Skipping this agglomerates fine powder.
Weigh the dry sample to obtain M₀, the reference mass every fraction is later expressed against.
Nest the sieves coarsest-on-top, add the pan + lid, and shake until practically no more passes.
Weigh each retained fraction and confirm the total reconciles with M₀ within method tolerance; then compute the distribution.
What goes wrong, and how the set fixes it
Moisture in samples
Particle agglomeration
Wrong sieve selection
Decisions that decide whether the set works on day one
How do I choose the sieve mesh size?
Start from the aperture you need to separate, not the mesh number. Match the target cut (e.g. 4.75 mm for coarse aggregate, 0.075 mm for fines) and pick a 304 SS sieve in that mesh. We stock 3–2800 mesh across 6 cm to 40 cm frames.
Do I need to dry the sample first?
For any fine or moisture-bearing powder, yes. Drying in the forced-air oven prevents agglomeration that would otherwise block the mesh and give a false distribution. Coarse, dry aggregate may skip this step.
Can one sieve grade a full distribution?
No — one mesh gives one cut. Nest several sieves (coarsest on top) with a pan + lid at the bottom to capture the graded fractions in a single run.
When should I use a nylon / PVC sieve?
When the sample is metal-ion-sensitive — food, pharmaceutical or biological powders. The PVC-frame nylon-mesh sieve avoids contamination that a stainless sieve could introduce.
How do I know when sieving is complete?
Stop when the mass passing a given sieve drops below 0.1% of the sample in one minute of agitation (ISO 2591-1). Past that point you are just shaking dust — extend the run and you waste time without changing the result.
How much sample can one sieve hold?
Keep the charge light — roughly ≤ 100 g for a 20 cm sieve, no more than 1–2 layers deep on the mesh. Overloading blinds the apertures and forces fine particles through by pressure instead of by size, so the cut stops being a true size separation.
Still deciding? Name your sample and size range
Tell us the material and the cut you need and we will point you at the exact sieve mesh, oven size and stack — or start from a ready bundle above.
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Xin Tester
Xin Tester supplies laboratory sieving, drying and separation equipment from a single catalogue. Prices are indicative and shown as "From" because configuration (size, mesh, oven volume) changes the build. Bundle prices are starter configurations for planning only. Confirm the exact specification with us before ordering.