Stackable Metal Screened Sieves

With their injection molded plastic frame and metal mesh screens, this sieve set has been designed with high school use in mind. It includes mesh sizes of 5 (0.151″), 10 (0.0725″), 60 (0.0092″), and 230 (0.0029″). The mesh size is an indication of the number of openings in the material per square inch.

When properly arranged with the largest screen size on top and proportionately decreasing in size, the screen sieve was designed to easily separate out the various sizes of soil particles. With porosity, permeability and capillarity all affected by the size of the particles, screen sieves can be used to investigate them.

Arrange then in decreasing size with the collection tray on the bottom, and place a soil sample in the topmost sieve. Cover the top with the lid, and gently shake the stack using a back and forth motion, rather than up and down. The rocking of the back and forth motion will cause the soil particles to shift from side to side, allowing the smaller ones to proceed down the sieve to the next level until only the finest particles reach the collection tray.

Each section of the sieve measures approximately 2.5×6.5″(WxD), with the mesh having a diameter of 5″ (130mm).

A teacher’s guide with sample experiments and thought-provoking questions is included.