Peripheral Devices › Penetrometer

Penetrometer

Measure the resistance of a substance to penetration. Test personal or medical care products, food, road surfacing, and even machinery.

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The application of penetrometry

A Penetrometer is a device that provides a rapid empirical method for measuring the denseness, compaction, consistency, or penetrability of a wide variety of solid, semisolid, food and non-food products.

Invented in 1846, the penetrometer measures the resistance of a substance to penetration by a weight-driven cone or needle of a specific shape at a specific temperature. This penetration is indicated in millimetres, allowing a rating of the plasticity or consistency of the sample. Many standard methods use this principle but vary in the Penetrometer cone/needle geometry, time, and load applied.

The Plus range of Texture Analyzers can accommodate a Penetrometer unit to provide this measurement and extend the range of applications for the instrument.

Features

Convenience: Installation onto a texture analyzer is simple and quick
Digital: Automatic loading of test settings and one-click analysis of data

Adaptable: Alternative fixtures can be installed to extend the range of measurements or choice of standard methods
Archivable: All test data is electronicall stored for future retrieval

How It Works

How can you measure penetration?

Prepare the sample

The sample is deposited (without forming air bubbles) into a vessel, and the surface is smoothed with a spatula.

Set up the sample

The vessel is placed below the cone with the tip just touching the sample's surface.

Measure pentration depth

The cone is released and retained again after 5 seconds and the depth of penetration measured.

Collecting and displaying Penetrometer data

The above graph shows the cone release interval 5 seconds

Typical spreadsheet in Exponent Connect software

Tech Specs
	Reference A/PR Resistance to penetration
Maximum penetration range (limited by cone depth	43.2mm (for 150g steel tip cone)
Distance Resolution	0.1mm
Test Duration	0.1s-999.999s
Start Delay	Up to 9999s
Maximum Sample Height	81mm
Maximum reommended load cell	50kg
Minumum reommended load cell	5kg
Interfaces	RS485, LIMS compatibility
Power Supply	110V A.C. to 240V A.C., 24V D.C., 50/60Hz, 1.5A
Exponent Integration	Yes
Data Sample Rate	500pps

Compatible with:

TA.XTPlus

Our flagship Texture Analyzer

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TA.XTPlus100

Double the resolution and force capacity