Specific Gravity Tests

It is important that the temperature and pressure of each substance are the same, since the density values ​​represent properties under the same conditions. An important feature of specific gravity is that it can be calculated based on the specific gravity of the components in a mixture.

Specific gravity is typically defined as the ratio of the density of a liquid or solid substance to the density of water at 4 degrees Celsius. At normal pressure and temperature, the density of water is 1,0 g/cc, and the specific gravity of a substance that is 1,6 times heavier than water is 1,6. It is important that the temperature and pressure of each substance are the same, since the density values ​​represent properties under the same conditions.

Being able to calculate the specific gravity of a mixture is important because the specific gravity of a material is used to justify problems with the mixture.

If the specific gravity of a mixture is calculated as 1,8 while expected 1,5, this indicates that:

• There's air in the mix. Roughly 16 percent air lowers the specific gravity from 1,8 to 1,5.
• The amount of solids is less than 60 weight percent. If the material is deaerated, the mixture has only 60 weight percent solids, not the target 36 percent by weight.
• A low specific gravity may indicate the wrong solid in the mix. If the correct weights are used, then a specific gravity of 1,5 indicates a solid specific gravity of 1,8.

The specific gravity value of a material mixture is a very important property that shows whether the material mixture is made correctly. However, it does not have any units.

To determine the specific gravity of a mineral, it is sufficient to take a sample of ore of known size and place it in one volume of water. The amount of water displaced by the mineral is weighed. This value gives the ratio between mineral and water. For example, if a mineral weighing one hundred grams is replaced by twenty grams of water, the specific gravity of the mineral is 5,0, meaning the mineral is five times heavier than the same amount of water.

To obtain the percentage of solids in a dough from the specific gravity of that dough, the specific gravity of the dry solids in the dough must be known.

Our organization also provides specific gravity testing services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.