At one end of the spectrum of the moisture world is the classic Speedy Moisture Tester where you use the reaction of water with calcium carbide to cause a mini explosion resulting in a moisture measurement reading. This method is used frequently for soils, concrete, and other like materials.
Art Gatenby
Recent Posts
Topics: Moisture Sorption Isotherm, Moisture Analysis, Water Activity, Karl Fischer, Loss-On-Drying
Moisture Content and Water Activity - What Are They?
Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 11, 2021 5:04:31 PM
Many accessing our web site ask questions such as:
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“How does water content affect water activity?”
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"How is water activity different from water content?”
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”Can I convert from moisture to water activity?”
I previously commented on water activity and now hope to clarify the differences between water activity and moisture content. Given that both of these measurements deal with water connected to a material, we must first understand of water content in a product.
Topics: Moisture Sorption Isotherm, Moisture Analysis, Water Activity, moisture content, moisture measurement, water activity measurement, water content measurement
Loss-On-Drying Moisture Analysis and Other Moisture Mysteries Part IV: Water Activity
Posted by Art Gatenby on Nov 11, 2021 3:27:32 PM
Loss-On-Drying moisture analysis seemed like a simple process until, in a state of naïve bliss, I promised to look at evaporation, vapor pressure and bound water. While I was otherwise occupied with hese realities, I offered to enter the world of witchcraft and folklore; water activity.
Topics: Bound Moisture, Moisture Sorption Isotherm, Moisture Analysis, Water Activity, Loss-On-Drying
Do an internet search for the term “viscosity”, and you’ll find a variety of definitions for the word. For example:
Topics: Viscometers, Viscosity
When people hear of viscosity for the first time, invariably they ask these three questions:
Read MoreTopics: Newtonian Fluid, Measure Viscosity, Viscometers, Viscosity, Viscosity in Food
When our customers tell me about the different places where CENCO and CSC Digital Moisture balances are used it always interests me.
Topics: Moisture Analysis, Moisture Testing, Loss-On-Drying, Moisture, moisture content, water content measurement
Coulometric/ Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration -- Which Should I Use?
Posted by Art Gatenby on Sep 23, 2021 12:53:41 PM
As usual when we pose a question, like:
Should you use Coulometric or Volumetric Karl Fischer to measure moisture in your product?
We often get a the reaction, “So Who Cares?” We'll try to answer both questions.
Topics: Coulometric Karl Fischer, Volumetric Karl Fischer, Moisture Analysis, Moisture Testing, Karl Fischer, Karl Fischer Titration
Water Activity Measurement and the Illusion of Quick and Accurate
Posted by Art Gatenby on Aug 17, 2021 2:00:38 PM
Water Activity
Water activity is the water in a material available to support the growth of microorganisms. Consequently, the measurement of water activity is important in areas such as food processing, pharmaceutical production, products affected by mold, and a host of products that change characteristics when exposed to moisture.
Read MoreTopics: Water Activity, stop mold, chilled mirror, aw
When people are looking for a way to measure small amounts of moisture, we often recommend the Karl Fischer method.
What is Karl Fischer?
Read MoreTopics: Karl Fischer, Karl Fischer Titration
Moisture Test Results Don't Always Measure Moisture
Posted by Art Gatenby on Jun 29, 2021 7:00:00 AM
The most popular was to measure include:
- Drying the material and measure the weight loss
- Using a calibration and electronic instrument
- Using a titration method such as Karl Fischer
When using these processes, we take for granted that the results will be the product's actual moisture.
Topics: Evaporation, Moisture Oven Test, Infrared Moisture, Moisture Analysis, Moisture Testing, Karl Fischer Titration, Loss-On-Drying, evaporator oven