What is Sand Equivalent Size?

Since there is no "standard" for methods or for grit sizing, characterizing grit proves to be extremely difficult.  Another problem encountered when characterizing grit is that each location has region-specific grit.  This means a location in Florida may have vastly different grit than a location in Minnesota due to the climate, humidity, surrounding environment, size of the facility, and many more variables. In order to help create some form of standardizing, Black Dog Analytical employs a method called Sand Equivalent Sizing or SES.  

Sand Equivalent Sizing is an analytical procedure that consists of determining settling velocities and sizing of the equivalent particles of sand.  Sand is used as a "standard" for determining settling velocities and particle size for a few reasons:

1. Sand is uniform and round

          - Grit is very rarely round and this makes a difference both when sieving for particle size as well as determining settling velocity.  (Imagine a small twig that is falling horizontally or vertically.  It may pass through a hole in the vertical orientation but would not pass through a hole in the horizontal orientation)

Where We've Been

Black Dog Analytical has performed grit studies throughout the United States and Canada, performing over 130 grit studies as Grit Solutions, and over 200 as Black Dog Analytical.  These sites include:

In The U.S.

Sand Equivalent Size​