Le Chatelier Soundness Apparatus
A split brass cylinder with two long indicator arms that magnifies the expansion of a cement paste after boiling. It checks that cement will not expand and crack after it has set (soundness).
- Cement manufacturing
- Construction materials testing
- Ready-mix concrete
- Academic labs
Le Chatelier calibration procedures
Le Chatelier has no instrument calibration of its own in most labs. Its performance is controlled through qualification (below) and the system suitability or acceptance checks of each test that uses it.
Instrument qualification (DQ · IQ · OQ · PQ)
- 01
DQ — Design qualification
Specifies moulds conforming to the apparatus standard (dimensions, indicator length, elasticity) and a water bath able to reach boiling in the required time.
- 02
IQ — Installation qualification
Records mould IDs, dimension certificates and the water bath's installation and electrical safety checks.
- 03
OQ — Operational qualification
Checks mould dimensions and elasticity and the time for the bath to reach the boil.
- 04
PQ — Performance qualification
Runs duplicate moulds on a control cement and checks agreement between them over time.
Keep every Le Chatelier in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.