Quick answer. Start with which questions your laboratory has to answer, because each part of this listing answers a different one: how fine the cement is (Blaine), when it sets (Vicat, Gillmore, flow table and ring mould), whether it is sound (Le Chatelier), and how strong it is and whether it will move (prism moulds, mixer, vibrating machine, shrinkage moulds and comparator). Then decide whether you certify cement or only control it: certification needs the Blaine and its reference cement, routine control may not. And buy the consistency apparatus with the setting apparatus, since setting and soundness are both tested on a paste of standard consistency.
About thirty-five items, coded CT-0001 onwards, for a cement testing laboratory. Sampling: a cement sampler. Fineness: a Blaine air permeability apparatus. Consistency and setting: Vicat needle apparatus with and without a dashpot, a ring mould, a Gillmore needle apparatus and flow tables in manual and motorised forms. Soundness: Le Chatelier moulds, flask and water bath. Dimensional stability: shrinkage bar moulds in one, two, three and four gang versions, a length comparator and a volume change apparatus. Strength specimens: a three gang prism mould, a mortar mixer, a vibrating machine and a gauging trowel. A three-cell permeability apparatus for pozzolana cement mortar completes the set.
Four records in this listing describe flow tables and carry names that read as sentences rather than product names, and one mixer has "mortar" misspelled. The apparatus is the standard set; quote the code and the full product name together and ask for the specification sheet of each flow table you are choosing between.
A cement test programme answers four questions in this order, and each predicts something different in the field. Knowing which question your customers actually ask tells you which third of this listing to buy.
| Question | Apparatus | What it predicts in use |
|---|---|---|
| How fine is it? | Blaine air permeability apparatus | Rate of hydration and early strength. Finer cement gains strength faster and needs more water |
| When does it set? | Vicat needle, Gillmore needle, and the flow table and ring mould that establish the standard consistency first | How long concrete stays workable and when formwork can be worked on. The commonest practical complaint on site is about setting, not strength |
| Is it sound? | Le Chatelier mould, flask and water bath | Whether the hardened cement will expand and crack from free lime or magnesia. A failure here is a durability failure, not a strength one |
| How strong is it, and will it move? | Prism moulds, mortar mixer, vibrating machine, shrinkage bar moulds, length comparator, volume change apparatus | Compressive strength at age, and drying shrinkage - which is what cracks floors and screeds |
Here is the thing about cement testing that catches new laboratories: the tests are not independent of each other. The setting time and soundness tests are performed on a paste of standard consistency, and the standard consistency is itself determined by a separate test using the Vicat apparatus with a plunger. So an error in the consistency determination carries straight into the setting time and the soundness result, and there is nothing in those results to show it.
The practical consequences: buy the apparatus for the consistency determination with the apparatus for setting time, not later; teach the consistency test first and insist on it being repeated when results look odd; and weigh the water, do not measure it by volume, because the water-cement ratio is the single most influential number in the whole subject. Ask us to quote a balance of appropriate resolution with this range if you do not already have one.
The Blaine apparatus measures specific surface by timing the flow of air through a compacted bed of cement, and it is not an absolute instrument. It is calibrated against a reference cement of certified specific surface, and the calibration has to be repeated with a fresh reference sample periodically. That reference material is a consumable with a shelf life, it must be bought from a recognised source, and it is the item most often missing when a laboratory finds its Blaine numbers drifting.
So ask: what reference cement the apparatus is calibrated with, where it is obtained in your country, what it costs and how long it keeps; what the bed preparation procedure is, since the porosity of the bed is set by a specified mass of cement compacted into a specified volume and an error there is an error in every result; and what the manometer fluid is and how it is checked. Ask also about the alternative - an air jet sieve or a wet sieve fineness test - because for routine control a simpler fineness check is sometimes enough and the Blaine is reserved for certification work.
The Le Chatelier soundness test puts a split mould of cement paste through a controlled heating in water and measures how far the mould opens. The specification that matters is the heating: the rate of heating and the boiling period are set by the standard, so a water bath with a controlled rise and a timer is part of the method rather than a convenience. Ask what the bath holds, how the rate is controlled and whether temperature is recorded. Note too that the autoclave method of testing soundness is not in this listing - if your standard specifies it, tell us.
Drying shrinkage is measured on bars cast in the gang moulds and read on the length comparator over weeks. Two requirements, and both are about the room rather than the instrument. The comparator must be used with its reference bar at every reading session, because the instrument and the operator both drift. And the bars must be stored at a controlled temperature and humidity, because what is being measured is the response of the specimen to its environment - bars kept in an ordinary laboratory that swings through the seasons produce a shrinkage curve that describes the weather. Ask whether a reference bar is supplied, what the comparator resolution is, and what storage conditions the standard specifies; and ask us about a conditioning cabinet if you do not have a controlled room.
The mortar mixer and the vibrating machine in this listing are not general laboratory equipment - they are machines built to a standard, because the way mortar is mixed and compacted changes its strength. For the mixer, ask the bowl capacity, the paddle clearance and the mixing speeds and times, all of which the standard sets. For the vibrating machine, ask the frequency and amplitude and how they are verified, and whether the mould clamping arrangement suits the prism moulds you are buying.
And since this is where specimens are made: ask the dimensional tolerance of the prism and cube moulds and whether certificates are supplied, because a mould out of tolerance lowers every strength result taken from it, consistently and invisibly. The compression machine that breaks the specimens is covered in our universal testing machines listing, and the curing tanks are in concrete testing machines - a cement laboratory needs both.
The cement sampler is the cheapest item on this page and it protects everything else. Cement segregates in a silo and in a bag, and it takes up moisture from the air, which pre-hydrates it and changes both setting and strength. A test on a sample scooped from the top of an open bag is a test on that scoop, not on the consignment. Ask about the sampler type and reach, and set a procedure: sample from several positions, combine and reduce the sample properly, and store it in a sealed airtight container and test it promptly. It costs nothing and it removes a whole class of unexplained results.
The standard and version each item is built to; for the Blaine, the reference cement, its source and cost, the bed preparation procedure and the manometer fluid; for Vicat and Gillmore, needle and plunger dimensions, mould sizes and whether a dashpot version is wanted; for the flow tables, which standard each implements and whether manual or motorised; for Le Chatelier, bath capacity, heating rate control and recording; for shrinkage work, comparator resolution, the reference bar, mould gang size and the storage conditions required; for the mixer and vibrating machine, the standard they are built to with speeds, times, frequency and amplitude; mould dimensional tolerance and certificates; balance resolution; consumables with prices; services at the position including water and drainage; nominal voltage, frequency and plug pattern; and the warranty and local service position. For any certification stated here, contact us for the latest copies of the relevant certificates before you tender on it.
Related ranges: concrete testing machines for fresh and hardened concrete and the curing tanks, soil testing machines and bitumen testing instruments for the rest of a materials laboratory, civil engineering lab equipments for soil strength and surveying, and universal testing machines for the compression machine. The full set is listed under testing machines. For a quotation, tell us the destination country, the standards your customers name, and whether the laboratory certifies cement or only controls it - the first needs the Blaine and its reference material, the second may not.
Possibly not. The Blaine air permeability apparatus measures specific surface by timing air flow through a compacted bed of cement, and finer cement gains strength faster and needs more water, so it matters. But it is not an absolute instrument: it has to be calibrated against a reference cement, which is a consumable with a shelf life. For routine control, a simpler fineness check such as an air jet sieve or wet sieve test is sometimes enough, with the Blaine reserved for certification work. Tell us which your laboratory does and we will quote accordingly.
Check the standard consistency first. Setting time and soundness are both performed on a paste of standard consistency, and that consistency is determined by a separate test using the Vicat apparatus with a plunger. An error there carries straight into both results, and nothing in those results shows it. So buy the consistency apparatus together with the setting time apparatus, teach the consistency test first, repeat it when results look odd, and weigh the water rather than measuring it by volume, because the water-cement ratio is the most influential number in the subject. A balance can be quoted with this range.
The usual cause is the reference material. The Blaine is calibrated against a reference cement of known specific surface, and the calibration must be repeated periodically with a fresh sample from a recognised source; that sample is the item most often missing when results drift. Ask what reference cement the apparatus is calibrated with, where it can be obtained in your country and how long it keeps. Then check the bed preparation, since bed porosity is set by a specified mass of cement compacted into a specified volume, and ask what the manometer fluid is and how it is checked.
Controlled heating. The Le Chatelier test takes a split mould of cement paste through a controlled heating in water and measures how far the mould opens, which reveals whether hardened cement will expand and crack from free lime or magnesia - a durability failure rather than a strength one. The rate of heating and the boiling period are set by the standard, so a bath with a controlled rise and a timer is part of the method. Ask the bath capacity, how the heating rate is controlled and whether temperature is recorded. The autoclave soundness method is not in this listing.
Control the room as well as the instrument. Drying shrinkage is measured on bars cast in the one to four gang moulds and read on the length comparator over weeks. The comparator must be used with its reference bar at every reading session, because instrument and operator both drift. And the bars must be stored at a controlled temperature and humidity: bars kept in an ordinary laboratory that swings through the seasons produce a shrinkage curve that describes the weather. Ask whether a reference bar is supplied, the comparator resolution and the storage conditions your standard sets, and ask about a conditioning cabinet if needed.
Because the way mortar is mixed and compacted changes its strength, so these are machines built to a standard rather than general laboratory equipment. For the mortar mixer, ask the bowl capacity, the paddle clearance and the mixing speeds and times, all set by the standard. For the vibrating machine, ask the frequency and amplitude, how they are verified, and whether the clamping suits the prism moulds you are buying. Ask the dimensional tolerance of the moulds too: a mould out of tolerance lowers every strength result taken from it, consistently and invisibly. The compression machine and curing tanks are in other listings.
Ray Export is a manufacturer and exporter of laboratory, scientific and educational equipment based at Plot No. 449, HSIIDC Industrial Area, Saha, Ambala, Haryana 133104, India. Enquiries: [email protected], +91-9817319615.
Written by Palak Mall, Senior Content Writer. Technically reviewed by Arvind Kumar, Lab Equipment Specialist, 12+ years in laboratory and testing instrumentation. Last updated: 17 October 2026.
Specifications for each item - the standard each is built to, needle and plunger dimensions, bath heating control, comparator resolution, mixer speeds and times, vibration frequency and amplitude, and mould tolerances - are confirmed in writing on the quotation. For calibration certificates, standards or approvals, contact us for the latest copies of the relevant certificates. No price is quoted on this page. Listing note: the range is given only as about thirty-five items from CT-0001 onwards; four flow table records carry names that read as sentences rather than product names; and one mixer record has mortar misspelt. Quote the code and full product name together.
Cement Sampler for Cement Testing - This is a metal tube roughly 53 cm long and 2.8 cm I.D. with a wooden handle. Add up to length roughly 73cm. The tube has the sharp precise edge which helpfully penetrates concrete packs. An air gap of around 3mm dia is bored on the tube close handle. Add up to test gathered at one time is 300 cm around.
Blaine\'s Air Permeability Apparatus for Cement Testing - The mechanical assembly is utilized for deciding the fineness of concrete regarding particular surface communicated as an aggregate surface zone in square centimeters per gram of bond. This is a variable stream sort are a penetrability. Detail: The mechanical assembly comprises one each of penetrability cell 12.5mm I.D. manometer \'U\' sort mounted on remain with an inherent stop rooster, punctured plate, plunger elastic plug, elastic tube 30cm long. A parcel of 12 channel paper circle and a container of 100ml dibutyl phthalate fluid. Extras and Accessories: Punch to cut channel paper plates. Non-punctured plate. Suction bulb.
VICAT Needle Apparatus for Cement Testing - This instrument is utilized for deciding the ordinary consistency and setting times of concrete and \'A\' class limes. The device comprises of a metallic edge bearing a uninhibitedly versatile and with a top at top, one vicat shape and glass base plate and one arrangement of needles one each underlying needle, last needle and consistency plunger..
VICAT Needle Apparatus with Dashpot for Cement Testing - Same as Vicat Needle Apparatus however furthermore is fitted with a dashpot which offices delicate bringing down of the needles. Embellishments: Mild steel base plate 5 inches x 5 inches. Support shape, metal, 70mm i.d. base dia x 60mm i.d. top dia, 40 mm tallness. Note: 1) Normally set of needles and shape which meet is prerequisites according to I.S. 5513 are provided. While requesting please indicate the determination code of the instrument required. 2) Vicat needle contraption for deciding consistency of pressure driven bond. Gypsum mortar, lime and so on..
Ring Mould for Cement Testing - Comprises of mold 10cm x 0.5cm. Deep and a glass base plates.
GILLMORE Needle Apparatus for Cement Testing - This instrument is utilized for deciding the time setting of water powered bond. A base with a Vertical shaft and Two even arms. The lower arms is flexible for stature. 1 no. Starting needle 1/12-inch dia ¼ lb. Wt. 1 no. Last needle 1/24 inch dia. ¼ lb. Wt. 1 no. Glass base plate. Finish as above.
Flow Table for Cement Testing - This is utilized for deciding the workability of building limes. The flow table comprises of a 30 cm dia clean steel plate with 3 engraved annular circles 7, 11 and 19cm dia. The table best is organized a free fall of 12.5mm by a cam activity. Provided finish with one metal tapered shape, 65mm i.d. at base and 40mm i.d. at top, stature of the shape 90mm.
Flow Table for Cement Testing - determining the flow of cement concrete. Comprises of a steel table best 76.2cm (30 inch. Dia) Finely machined. The basic cast ribs are intended for support and strength. The stand is created out of solid metal and is of study construction. Openings for mounting in establishments are penetrated in the base plate. The ground and solidified steel cam is intended to fit and drop the table by 12.5mm. The hand wheel makes it easy to work the table. Provided with one tapered form with two handles, 12cm stature, having17cm. Inside Dia. at the best and 25cm internal dia. at the base. Finish with a packing bar 16mm dia x 600mm long one end adjusted..
Flow Table (Motorised) for Cement Testing - Same as above but electrically operated to raise and drop the table top, approx. 15 times in 15 seconds, Suitable for operation on 230 Volts, 50 cycles, A.C. supply..
Flow Table for Cement Testing - This is utilized for measuring the consistency of pozzolana and furthermore concrete mortar and hydrated lime. It comprises of a machined metal table best 250+/ - 2.5mm dia. Mounted on an inflexible stand. The table best is strengthened with similarly arranged ribs and permitted to cone shaped metal form 100mm i.d. top dia and 50mm high. Embellishments : Mild steel plate 25mm thick and 25cm square to fix to the underside of the base. Same as ZI 1008 however electrically worked to raise and drop the table best, approx. 15 times in 15 seconds, Suitable for operation on 230 Volts, 50 cycles, A.C. supply..
Login
Register
+91 9817319615
