Overview
ISO 2591-1:1988 - Test sieving, Part 1: Methods using test sieves of woven wire cloth and perforated metal plate - is an international standard that describes the main factors affecting test sieving and the results obtained. It specifies general principles for apparatus, procedure and presentation of results for methods using test sieves made from woven wire cloth or perforated metal plate. This edition (1988) cancels and partially replaces ISO 2591:1973 and serves as guidance for consistent particle size analysis using sieves.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principles of sieving: Division into rapid removal of much-smaller particles and gradual separation of near-aperture-size particles; importance of presenting particles to apertures.
- Materials and properties affecting sieving: Density, shape, size distribution, friability, abrasiveness, moisture (surface/internal/hygroscopic), electrostatic and magnetic behaviour, and chemical reactivity.
- Sampling and sample division: Requirements for representative sampling, reduction of large samples to test charges, and storage to prevent contamination or property changes.
- Apparatus, preparation and maintenance: Use of test sieves meeting ISO 3310 requirements; inspection for defects, correct cleaning methods, limits on heating (avoid >80 °C), calibration and verification of effective sieve aperture size.
- Sieving methods: Guidance on hand sieving vs machine sieving, dry sieving and wet sieving, nest combinations, charge sizing to avoid overloading, and combining results across multiple nests. Final hand sieving is recommended as a reference step where machines are used.
- Reporting: State sieving method, sieve types, machine or operator details, and any material preparation or conditioning used.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 2591-1 is used where particle size distribution matters - research, quality control, production monitoring, or contractual grading of bulk materials. Typical applications include:
- Aggregate, coal and stone testing
- Pigments, clays and fine powders
- Abrasive materials and ceramic powders
- Pharmaceutical excipients (where applicable regional standards reference sieving)
Users include laboratory technicians, QC engineers, materials scientists, production inspectors, standards writers and procurement/specification managers who require reproducible sieve analysis methods.
Related standards
- ISO 3310 - Test sieves: technical requirements and testing (specific parts for woven wire cloth, perforated plate, electroformed sheets).
- ISO 565 - Nominal sizes of sieve openings.
- ISO 2395 - Vocabulary for test sieves and test sieving.
- ISO 2591‑2 - (covers electroformed sheet sieves; referenced for other sieve media).
Keywords: ISO 2591-1, test sieving, test sieves, woven wire cloth, perforated metal plate, particle size analysis, sieve calibration, ISO 3310.