The ShearScan TS12 automatically measures the flow characteristics of a wide range of powdered, pelletized, and granular materials.  The system determines the cohesion and angle of internal friction of materials according to the Mohr-Coulomb model to accurately predict its flow behavior.  Up to 300 points on a sample's yield locus line are measured to produce accurate and repeatable data.  Analysis time is 5 to 10 minutes. Automatic sample consolidation ensures materials are properly prepared and at critical consolidation.

Yield Locus Line

The Yield locus line is a plot of load applied to a sample versus shear force generated across the sample.  The line is represented by its slope and intercept.  The slope of the line expressed in degrees is called the angle of internal friction.  The intercept of the line is called cohesion.
 

The angle of internal friction represents how sample particles slide against each other.  The higher the number, the more friction between the particles.  Cohesion is a measure of the inter-particle bonding strength.  Higher cohesion means the particles have a higher tendency to clump or stick together.  Cohesion and angle of internal friction define a sample's flow characteristics and can be used to determine if a powder will or will not flow under various conditions.

The ShearScan TS12 automatically prepares a sample before measuring its cohesion and angle of internal friction.  Automatic sample preparation ensures that all samples are in  the same state at the beginning of a test.  This is critical for flow testing as material handling can greatly affect a material's flow behavior.  In addition, many points are measured to generate a sample's yield locus.  This produces extremely accurate values for cohesion and angle of internal friction and allows even small changes in a material's flow behavior to be measured.