SV Technocrats India’s Le Chatelier Flask is a specialized glass apparatus used to determine the specific gravity (relative density) of hydraulic cement, lime, and other fine powders. It is designed as per IS: 4031 (Part 11), ASTM C188, and BS 4550 standards.
Components of Le Chatelier Flask
Bulbous Base – A round-bottom section with a capacity of 250 ml.
Graduated Neck – Marked from 0 to 24 ml in 0.1 ml divisions for precise volume readings.
Narrow Tube Opening – Ensures controlled addition of cement and liquid.
Glass Stopper – Seals the flask to prevent evaporation during testing.
Testing Procedure (IS 4031 - Part 11: Determination of Specific Gravity of Cement)
1. Preparation
Dry the Le Chatelier Flask thoroughly.
Use kerosene (free of water) or naptha as the displacement liquid (as they do not react with cement).
2. Filling the Flask
Pour kerosene up to the 0 ml mark on the graduated neck.
Record the initial volume (V₁).
3. Adding Cement
Carefully introduce 64g of cement into the flask using a funnel.
Avoid splashing and ensure no air bubbles are trapped.
Roll the flask gently to release air bubbles and allow complete wetting of the cement.
4. Final Volume Reading
After stabilization, note the final volume (V₂) from the graduated scale.
Specific Gravity (G) Formula: G=Weight of CementDisplaced Volume of LiquidG = \frac{\text{Weight of Cement}}{\text{Displaced Volume of Liquid}}G=Displaced Volume of LiquidWeight of Cement G=64V2−V1G = \frac{64}{V_2 - V_1}G=V2−V164
The typical specific gravity of cement ranges from 3.10 to 3.15.
Applications of Le Chatelier Flask
✅ Cement Quality Control – Ensures correct composition and absence of excessive impurities.
✅ Concrete Mix Design – Helps calculate accurate water-cement ratio.
✅ Construction Industry – Used in site and lab testing to verify cement properties.
