Criteria for powder testers

Small and large shear cell


In the table the most important capabilities and applications of our Ring Shear Testers are listed in order to provide a comparison of when to use each tester. However, the major difference is the maximum particle size that can be tested.

In addition, you can check if there is any other powder tester on the market which provides the same wide area of application as our Ring Shear Testers.


Capability / application RST Mk II RST-XS.s Other
The ring shear tester is a real shear tester (shear testers are the standard testers in powder technology) yes yes
Measurement of device-independent, well-defined physical properties like unconfined yield strength, internal friction,  ... yes yes
Measurement of yield loci with the parameters consolidation stress, unconfined yield strength, internal friction, bulk density, flowability, etc. yes yes
Measurement of time consolidation (time yield loci), also known as "caking" yes yes
Time consolidation tests of multiple specimens simultaneously (external storage with optional consolidation benches) yes yes
Time consolidation tests with long-term storage of specimens in  a climate chamber, oven... (with optional consolidation benches) yes yes
Wall friction measurement (wall yield locus) yes yes
Wall friction measurement with wall materials coupon beneath the bulk solid yes yes
Wall material coupons for wall friction tests can be added/prepared by the customer yes yes
Measurement of compressibility (bulk density as a function of consolidation stress). yes yes
Testing of attrition sensitivity of agglomerates, granules and pellets yes yes
"Stress Walk": Measures up top ten points of the flow function on one specimen (for quick assessment of the flow behavior over a wide range of stresses) yes yes
Computer-controlled, automatic test procedure yes yes
Option to run a test operator-controlled (test procedure determined by the operator)    yes yes
Variable stress level (stress level adaptable to the application under consideration) yes yes
Measurement also at small normal stresses (down to about 200 Pa) yes yes
Measurement also at very small normal stresses (down to about 50 Pa) yes yes
Shear cells of different dimensions yes yes
Small shear cells to test small amounts of powder (specimens < 10 ml) no yes
Quick test procedure by running multiple tests on one specimen yes yes
Easy operation (e.g. no manual preconsolidation of the specimen). yes yes
Software available for the evaluation of the test result yes yes
Direct export of results in Hopper Design Software CAHD yes yes
Large shear deformation possible; products with extreme elasticity or plasticity can be tested. yes yes
Very poor-flowing, fine-grained products can be tested (e.g. moist clay, sewage sludge, carbon black, titanium dioxide) yes yes
Testing of liquid-saturated, immersed bulk solids yes yes
Testing of products with particles > 1..2 mm yes no

Technical modifications, misprints and errors excepted.