SEC 0318K1 Soil Texture and Particle Size Analysis Kit

Overview

The SEC 0318K1 Soil Texture and Particle Size Analysis Kit is a field- and laboratory-ready mechanical sieving system engineered for standardized determination of soil particle size distribution (PSD) in accordance with ASTM D422, ISO 11277, and USDA Soil Taxonomy guidelines. It implements dry-sieving methodology—compliant with the widely adopted hydrometer-free approach for coarse-textured soils (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam)—and serves as a foundational tool for soil classification, erosion potential assessment, infiltration rate modeling, and agronomic suitability evaluation. The kit integrates a precision vibratory sieve shaker (model 0371K1) with a calibrated set of nested stainless-steel sieves (model 0318), enabling reproducible separation across the 2.0 mm to 0.053 mm (No. 10 to No. 270) nominal aperture range. Its robust mechanical architecture eliminates reliance on liquid dispersion or sedimentation time, making it suitable for rapid, on-site screening in environmental monitoring programs, regulatory compliance sampling, and soil health diagnostics where portability and operational simplicity are critical.

Key Features

• Vibratory sieve shaker (0371K1) with adjustable amplitude and fixed 60 Hz frequency—optimized for consistent energy transfer across all sieve decks without particle fracture or over-agitation.
• Complete 0318 standard sieve set comprising 8 nested, ASTM E11-compliant stainless-steel sieves: 2.0 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.106 mm, 0.075 mm, 0.053 mm (No. 10–No. 270), plus pan and lid—all with laser-etched aperture identifiers and traceable calibration documentation.
• 4-inch (101.6 mm) diameter sieve stack configuration—designed to match standard USGS and NRCS field sampling protocols and compatible with common soil sample preparation workflows.
• Heavy-duty steel frame and rubber-isolated base—minimizes transmission of vibration to lab benches and ensures stable operation during extended runs (up to 15 min continuous duty).
• Modular two-carton packaging (31 × 25 × 11 in each)—meets IATA and FedEx/UPS dimensional weight thresholds for international shipping; includes foam-inserted protection for all sieve components and shaker unit.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 0318K1 kit accepts air-dried, disaggregated soil samples up to 500 g per run—ideal for mineral soils with low organic matter (<15%) and minimal clay swelling potential. It is not intended for cohesive, high-clay, or highly organic soils requiring wet-sieving or ultrasonic dispersion; such matrices require complementary hydrometer or laser diffraction analysis per ASTM D2487 or ISO 13320. All sieves comply with ASTM E11 Grade A tolerances for aperture accuracy (±2.5% of nominal size) and flatness (≤0.05 mm deviation). The shaker meets UL 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment and carries CE marking for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU). Documentation includes NIST-traceable calibration certificates for sieve apertures and shaker amplitude verification.

Software & Data Management

The 0318K1 is a manual, non-instrumented mechanical system—no embedded firmware, onboard display, or digital output. Data recording follows paper-based or spreadsheet-based workflows aligned with GLP-compliant environmental laboratories. Users typically log sieve weights pre- and post-shaking using analytical balances (e.g., METTLER TOLEDO XP204 or Sartorius Entris II), then calculate cumulative retained mass percentages per sieve fraction using standard PSD calculation templates compliant with EPA Method 1311 (TCLP) reporting formats. While no proprietary software is bundled, the kit’s standardized sieve sizes and documented procedures ensure full interoperability with LIMS platforms (e.g., LabWare, Thermo Fisher SampleManager) via manual data entry or CSV import.

Applications

• USDA soil texture triangle classification (sand, silt, clay percentages derived from <2 mm fraction retention data)
• Construction material grading for earthen fill, road sub-base, and landfill liner specification (ASTM D2922, D1557)
• Regulatory site characterization under CERCLA and RCRA—supporting soil screening levels for particulate-bound contaminants
• Agricultural extension services for irrigation scheduling and fertilizer efficiency modeling based on textural water-holding capacity
• Educational use in university soil science, environmental engineering, and geotechnical labs for hands-on PSD methodology training

FAQ

Is the 0318K1 suitable for wet-sieving applications?

No. This kit is configured exclusively for dry-sieving. Wet-sieving requires a separate water-feed assembly, corrosion-resistant shaker housing, and sieve supports rated for continuous moisture exposure—none of which are included.

Can the 0371K1 shaker be used with non-SEC sieve sets?

Yes—provided the sieve diameter (4 in / 101.6 mm) and stack height (≤120 mm) fall within the shaker’s mechanical tolerance envelope and the clamping mechanism accommodates the rim profile.

Does the kit include a balance or drying oven?

No. Sample drying and mass measurement must be performed using user-supplied equipment meeting ASTM D2234 or ISO 11464 requirements for moisture content and weighing accuracy.

Are replacement sieves available individually?

Yes. All 0318-series sieves are stocked as spare parts with individual NIST-traceable calibration reports and serial-numbered identification.

What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?

Biannual inspection of shaker motor mounts, rubber isolation feet, and sieve mesh integrity; cleaning of sieve frames with non-abrasive solvents after each use; storage in low-humidity environments to prevent stainless-steel passivation loss.