The Best Practices for Maintaining Test Sieves
Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Your Test Sieves
Do's
- Gentle Brushing: After each use, gently brush your sieves to recover all sample material. Use a gentle circular motion to brush the underside of the wire cloth, applying light pressure to dislodge of particles.
- Tap Lightly: Employ the wooden handle of th e brush to lightly tap the sieve frame, aiding in the removal of particles. Be careful not to deform the frame.
- Use Warm Soapy Water: Cleanse the sieve using a warm soapy water solution, brushing the underside
car efully to dislodg e particles. For finer mesh sieves, consider employing an ultrasonic cleaner, as it can be highly effective. If using an ultrasonic cleaner, immerse the sieves in a solution of water and detergent. The ultrasonic agitation will facilitate the removal of particles. - Inspect Carefully: Regularly inspect finer mesh sieves against a backlight or white background to identify any damaged openings or separations along the perimeter. Magnified viewing can be helpful if necessary.
Don'ts: - Avoid Force: Refrain from using tools or compressed air to forcefully dislodge particles from the open ings. Excessive force can damage the sieve.
- No Solvents: Avoid the use of s olvents, as they might harm the protective lacquer coating on some sieve frames.
- Steer Clear of Acid Solutions: Stay away from acid solutions during the cleaning process, as they can alter wire diameter, enlarge openings, and weaken wire cloth weaving, ultimately affecting the accuracy of th e sieve.
- Brushing Sieves Finer Than 45 μm: For these sieves, option for ultrasonic cleaning rather than brushing.
- Worn or Damaged Sieves: If you observe worn, loose, or damaged wires, discontinue using the sieve. Regularly inspect your sieves to ensure the cloth is defect-free.
- No Attempted Repairs: Don't attempt to repair small holes or breaks. If you spot this kind of d amage, it 's best to replace the sieve.
- No Dishwasher: Don’t attempt to us e the dishwasher to clean or an oven to dry your test sieves. This will ruin th e test sieves.
- No Pressurized Air: Don’t clean your test sieves with pressurized air because this will damage the test sieves.
ASIA LEADER IN
MATERIAL TESTING EQUIPMENT
Key Indicators Your Test Sieve Needs Cleaning
Consequences of Neglecting Regular Cleaning
Proper Cleaning Techniques
Cleaning larger opening sieves involves the following steps:
- Turn the sieve over and position it over a pan to collect dislodged particles.
- Use a test sieve cleaning brush to gently brush th e underside of the mesh in a circular motion.
- After brushing, lightly tap the side of the sieve frame to clear particles on the inside.
- Rinse the sieve in a warm, mild detergent solution.
- Dry the sieves either by air drying or applying a controlled amount of heat via an autoclave.
Below are the two types of Test Sieves brushes:
Round Sieve Brush
Rectangular Sieve Brush
Proper Cleaning Techniques
Ensure your test sieves are cleaned properly without any leftover material before storage. Drying the test sieves is also crucial to avoid discoloration and mold.
Clean test sieves should be s tacked and stored at a s afe area such as a cabinet. There are manufacturers that provide test sieve storage racks that are designed to pr otect sieves when not in us e. Alternatively, you can store your sieves in their respective boxes with their certificates of compliance, keeping everything conveniently organized.
Know When To Change Your Test Sieves
Preserving the longevity of your sieves is closely tied to how you store them. To ensure they consistently yield accurate results over the long term, it 's crucial to store them in a secure location, free from any potential hazards like sharp edges or heavy objects that might inadvertently come into contact with them.
This, of course, follows the mandatory cleaning procedure after each testing session. Nevertheless, regardless of how diligently you maintain them, you may eventually notice a shift in the performance of older test sieves compared to their initial condition. This serves as a dependable indication that it might be time for their renewal.
Maintaining your test sieves, which includes regular cleaning and proper storage, is essential to prevent material buildup and ensure accurate results in your lab work. Preserving the integrity of these precision instruments will undoubtedly contribute to the reliability and consistency of your research and testing processes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most prevalent errors when cleaning test sieves is using inappropriate tools to dislodge particles. Often, objects larger than the mesh openings are used, resulting in torn or stretched mesh. Additionally, excessive brushing force can damage the mesh and frame, especially with finer mesh counts.
Maintaining your test sieves, which includes regular cleaning and proper storage, is e ssential to prevent material buildup and ensure accurate results in your lab work. Preserving the integrity of these precision instruments will undoubtedly contribute to the reliability and consistency of your research and testing processes.
Order an International Standard Test Sieves
Discover NL Scientific ’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of sieve performance, providing you with unparalleled accuracy for your testing needs.
