Overview
ISO 2030:2018, "Granulated cork - Size analysis by mechanical sieving," specifies a standardized method to obtain the granule size distribution of granulated cork using mechanical sieving. This third edition (2018) updates the procedure for preparing, sieving and reporting results so manufacturers, testing laboratories and quality-control teams can produce consistent, comparable particle-size data for granulated cork products.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope: Method for determining granule size distribution of granulated cork by mechanical sieving.
- Apparatus: A screening column with:
- cover and base that fit the sieves,
- a sequence of sieves whose mesh apertures conform to the ISO/R 40/3 series (see ISO 565),
- a vibrator capable, as specified, of producing 300 vertical vibrations with an amplitude of 5 mm/min and rotating speed of 1 r/min,
- a balance with accuracy of 0.1 g.
- Sampling: Sampling must be carried out in accordance with ISO 2067.
- Test portion: Three test portions taken at random:
- ~50 g each for granulated cork with bulk density ≤ 60 kg/m³,
- ~100 g each for bulk density > 60 kg/m³.
- Procedure: Place a test portion in the upper sieve of the screening column, vibrate for 9–11 minutes, then weigh the material retained on each sieve and the powder at the base.
- Expression of results: Report mass retained on each sieve and powder at the base as percentages of the test portion (arithmetic mean of three tests, rounded to the nearest integer).
- Test report: Must include sample identification, results, reference to ISO 2030:2018, any optional operational details, and any occurrences affecting results.
Applications and Who Uses It
- Quality control and product specification in the cork processing and composites industries.
- Laboratories performing particle size distribution analysis for granulated cork used in gaskets, insulation, sealing, construction materials and molded cork products.
- Manufacturers specifying granule fractions for downstream processing, packing, or blending.
- Procurement and compliance teams requiring consistent, reproducible test methods for supplier verification.
Related Standards
- ISO 2067 - Granulated cork: Sampling (normative reference)
- ISO 565 - Test sieves: Nominal sizes of openings (for sieve selection)
- ISO 1997 - Granulated cork and cork powder: Classification, properties and packing (bibliography)
Keywords: ISO 2030:2018, granulated cork, size analysis, mechanical sieving, granule size distribution, screening column, test sieves, ISO 2067, particle size distribution, quality control.