Overview
The fineness plate is a tool used to determine the degree of particle dispersion in slurries, coatings, inks, and other materials, and quantifies the particle size distribution through the depth change of its surface notching. In the grinding process, the fineness plate helps evaluate the grinding effect, ensuring that the material achieves the desired level of dispersion. Selecting the right fineness plate requires a combination of material characteristics, process parameters, and application criteria to achieve accurate and repeatable inspection.
Grinding process requirements
The grinding process aims to refine material particles to the target range, involving factors such as equipment type, time, temperature, and medium. Process requirements are often based on the performance requirements of the final product, such as gloss, masking power, or flowability, which are directly related to particle fineness. Fineness plate selection needs to match these requirements to ensure that the inspection reflects the effect of process adjustments, for example, too coarse or fine particles may lead to product failure, and the process needs to be quickly identified and optimized through the fineness plate.
Selection factors
When selecting a type, attention should be paid to the grooving range, accuracy and material of the fineness plate. The groove range needs to cover the expected fineness range of the material, typically from 0 to 100 microns or wider. Accuracy refers to the minimum index value of the depth of the groove, and the high-precision plate is suitable for fine grinding processes. In terms of material, stainless steel or hardened steel provides durability, while glass or ceramic plates may be used for corrosive materials. In addition, it is necessary to refer to domestic and foreign standards, such as ISO or ASTM, to ensure that the selection meets industry specifications.
Example formula: The fineness value calculation can be based on the groove depthdand particle distribution, the simple relationship isFineness ≈ k × d, among themkIt is a material constant, but the practical application needs to be combined with the calibration curve.
Matching method
When matching the requirements of the grinding process, the typical fineness range of the material is analyzed first, for example, water-based coatings may require 0-50 microns, while high-solids coatings may require 0-100 microns. Secondly, consider the sensitivity of the process: rapid grinding processes may require a wide range of fineness plates to capture variations, while precision grinding requires narrow ranges and high-precision plates. Finally, verifying the match can be done through repeated testing to compare the correlation between fineness plate readings and process parameters (such as grinding time) to ensure that the results guide process optimization.
| Item type | Recommended Fineness Plate Range (microns) |
| Ordinary paints | 0-50 |
| Ink | 0-25 |
| Ceramic paste | 0-100 |
| Nanodispersion | 0-15 |
Notes:
When using a fineness plate, keep the board clean and avoid scratches to ensure accurate readings. Calibration should be performed regularly, referring to standard samples or materials of known fineness. In the grinding process, it is recommended to inspect at key nodes, such as before and after grinding, in combination with other methods such as microscopic analysis to fully assess fineness. Be aware that environmental factors such as temperature may affect the flow of the material, thereby interfering with the reading, and should be operated under stable conditions.
Summary
Fineness plate selection is an important link connecting the grinding process and quality inspection. By understanding the process requirements, material characteristics, and standard specifications, selecting the fineness plate with the right range, accuracy, and material can achieve efficient and reliable fineness control. Continuous validation and calibration help improve process consistency and drive product performance.
References
Paragraphs 1 to 2: General description of the fineness plate based on the ISO 1524 standard; Paragraph 3: Refer to the selection factors in ASTM D1210 technical articles; Paragraph 4: Combined with matching cases in industry technical reports; Paragraph 5: Summary of precautions from common operation guidelines.