CSC Scientific Blog

A blog about test equipment

Art Gatenby

Manufacturer of test equipment. The Company specialized in the measurement of Moisture, Particle Size and Surface Tension. In these areas CSC Scientific serves the Food, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Petroleum, Waste Water, Mining, Power and similar industries.
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Recent Posts

Sieving - An Ancient Technique Still Widely Used

Posted by Art Gatenby on Mar 9, 2023 5:05:50 PM

We recently redesigned our E-commerce site. The redesign proceeded without a hitch, until we got to the sieves. 

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Topics: Particle Size Analysis, Sieves, Sieving Process

Re-Certify Mid-Point Sieves? When and How?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Feb 10, 2023 4:47:59 PM

I had a long conversation with the person [we'll call him Bill] responsible for setting up the quality procedures for very tight specifications in a new process -- part of which was developing procedures for checking the ongoing tolerances of production sieves.
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Topics: Mid-Point Sieves, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Testing, Sieves

A Beginner's Guide to Surface Tension, Surfactants and Micelles

Posted by Art Gatenby on Oct 10, 2022 5:24:05 PM

Welcome to my beginner's guide to Surface Tension, Surfactants, and Micelles. In this blog, we'll be exploring the basics of these topics in order to better understand their role in industry and everyday life. Surface tension is a crucial property of a liquid that allows it to resist being pulled apart by gravity, and surfactants are molecules that can lower the surface tension of water. Micelles are spherical structures that are formed when surfactants reach a certain concentration in water, and they play an important role in many cleaning and industrial processes. We'll be discussing all of this and more in this blog, so let's get started!

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Topics: Tensiometer, Surface Tension, CMC, Micelles, surfactants

Is My Test Equipment Lying?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Sep 20, 2022 4:31:42 PM

I keep running into this kind of thing.

There is a recurring question we are asked as instrument manufacturers:

"Is my equipment working OK?"

This is of particular concern when a production process seems to be off standard.

QC says: "Clearly Process Problems"

Production says: "Bad Test Results"

These challenges arise often.

What to do?

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Topics: Surface Tension, Liquid Properties

Sieves – Old and New QC Issues

Posted by Art Gatenby on May 27, 2022 4:36:26 PM

 In 2011 "Powder-Bulk Solids" published an article comparing certification process veracity with a sieve calibration process using calibrated glass microspheres (or beads). The certification process merely indicates that a sieve mesh conforms to a standard that has a wide tolerance regarding mesh openings. It is performed on a small number of openings. On the other hand, calibration using the calibrated beads results in a number representing the mean opening -- a result generated by actually performing a test encompassing at least 80% of the mesh openings.

The problems outlined in the article  are still dogging todays QC Managers

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Topics: Sieve Shakers, Calibration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Certification, Sieve Testing, Sieves, Sieving Process

Who Beats Up Your Bostwick?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Dec 7, 2021 4:59:05 PM

Definition of a Tough Consistency Instrument

Sometimes we encounter a product that is so simple and rugged that it would be tempting to deem it indestructible. Consider a stainless steel trough with a gate and etched numbers on the bottom. Seems simple and the stainless would make it tough, right? That is not the case, but it has survived nearly unchanged for more than 85 years.

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Topics: Bostwick Consistometer, Consistency, consistometer, Liquid Properties

When Do I Need a Consistometer vs. a Viscometer?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 30, 2021 4:05:31 PM

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is, "How can I get a viscosity reading from the Bostwick Consistometer?" The answer is, "You can't." We've elaborated on this in other articles. We've even got a great infographic to explain the difference. With this article, I hope to advance the understanding of the difference between these concepts even further.

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Topics: Viscosity, Bostwick Consistometer, Consistency, viscometer, consistometer, Liquid Properties

Why Not A Bostwick Consistometer Calibration Standard?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 24, 2021 4:00:00 PM

Customers Want Bostwick Consistometer Calibrations.

When told that CSC Scientific does not calibrate Bostwick Consistometers, people ask .Then how can I calibrate my consistometer and where can I get a calibration standard?”.

Sampling Method Using Your Product

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Topics: Bostwick Consistometer, Consistency, Calibration, Liquid Properties

Is Consistency Viscosity? Not really!

Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 19, 2021 5:18:35 PM

The Bostwick Consistometer

We make the Bostwick Consistometer. The Bostwick is used extensively to measure the consistency of sauces and condiments. It has strong application in the quality control departments of ketchup and mustard producers. Results from a Bostwick Consistometer have been used for more than six decades to control the quality of many of the foods you use.

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Topics: Viscosity, Consistency, Surface Tension Measurement, Liquid Properties

Bostwick Consistometer – Incline or Not

Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 16, 2021 3:38:46 PM

The Bostwick Consistometer is used all over the World to check the quality of sauces and condiments. In our in-house training session we do blind product tests and clearly define the differences between brand of ketchup and mustard. This is a testament to the value placed on Bostwick Consistometer tests by the top food manufacturers.

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Topics: Bostwick Consistometer, Liquid Properties

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