ASTM D5230 / D4179 / D6175 / D7084 / ISO 4700 Compliant

Pellet Hardness Tester

Automated Crush Strength for Six Industries

KHT Instrument designs and manufactures the KHT-PHT-01 pellet hardness tester for catalyst, fertilizer, iron ore, animal feed, carbon black, and pharmaceutical pellets. 0–220 N range, 1 kHz data acquisition, multi-standard support — engineered for international quality control labs.

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Live Demo · KHT-PHT-01
0–220 N · 1 kHz · 5 Standards
ASTM D5230Carbon Black
ASTM D4179Single Pellet
ISO 4700Iron Ore
21 CFR Part 11Pharma-Ready

0–220 N Force Range

ASTM D4179 compliant load cell with extended 0–5 kN option for ISO 4700 iron ore CCS

1 kHz Data Acquisition

Captures the exact fracture event in milliseconds — older 10 Hz instruments miss the true peak

5 Standards in One Platform

ASTM D5230, D4179, D6175, D7084, ISO 4700 — interchangeable fixtures, pre-configured methods

Factory-Direct Pricing

Direct from Shandong, China — 40–60% cost advantage vs. T1 European brands at equivalent ASTM compliance

KHT-PHT-01 PLATFORM

Meet the KHT-PHT-01 Pellet Hardness Tester

One automated tester. Five ASTM/ISO standards. Six industries. Engineered for QC labs that need NIST-traceable accuracy at factory-direct pricing.

KHT Flagship · Live Demo
0–220 N · 1 kHz · 5 Standards

KHT-PHT-01

Automated Pellet Hardness & Crush Strength

  • 0–220 N (D4179)
  • 1 kHz Data Rate
  • 5 Standards in 1
Most Specified Configuration

Catalyst, Iron Ore, Carbon Black, Fertilizer, Feed, Pharma — One Platform

The KHT-PHT-01 delivers ASTM D5230, D4179, D6175, D7084 and ISO 4700 compliance on a single benchtop instrument. Calibrated load cell with ±0.5% accuracy, 1 kHz force-displacement capture, NIST-traceable certificate, and optional 21 CFR Part 11 software for pharma labs.

Force Range

0–220 N (5 kN opt.)

Force Accuracy

±0.5% FS

Data Acquisition

1 kHz

Standards Supported

5 (ASTM + ISO)

Software

21 CFR Part 11 ready

Lead Time

4–6 weeks FOB Qingdao

View Full Specs

Six Measurable Advantages

Why KHT Pellet Hardness Tester

Backed by ASTM/ISO standards, six industries, and a single integrated platform. KHT delivers metrology that survives an audit at factory-direct pricing.

Force Accuracy ±0.5% of Reading

Calibrated load cell delivers ±0.5% accuracy across the full 0–220 N range required by ASTM D4179. NIST-traceable certificate ships with every unit; annual recalibration available through ISO 17025 partners.

±0.5% FSNISTISO 17025

1 kHz High-Speed Data Acquisition

Captures 1,000 force-displacement points per second to lock in the exact moment of fracture — critical for friable catalyst pellets where break events occur in milliseconds. 10 Hz instruments routinely miss the true peak.

1 kHzReal-timePeak capture

Five Standards on One Platform

ASTM D5230 (carbon black), D4179 (single pellet 0–220 N), D6175 (radial extrudate 1.6–3.2 mm), D7084 (bulk crush 0.8–4.8 mm with 30 s hold), and ISO 4700 (iron ore CCS 250 kg+) — all supported by interchangeable fixtures and pre-configured test methods.

D5230D4179D6175D7084ISO 4700

Six-Industry Application Coverage

Validated dies, anvils, and pistons for catalyst pellets, NPK and urea fertilizer granules, iron ore pellets, animal feed, carbon black beads, and pharmaceutical pellets. One tester handles your entire QC portfolio.

CatalystFertilizerIron OreFeedCarbon BlackPharma

Integrated Software with 21 CFR Part 11

Real-time force-displacement curves, automatic pass/fail by user-defined thresholds, batch statistics, CSV/PDF export, and audit-trail logging for pharmaceutical labs requiring 21 CFR Part 11 e-signatures.

21 CFR Part 11Audit trailPDF/CSV

Global Service and Calibration Network

24-hour quote response, lifetime technical support via email and WhatsApp, annual on-site calibration through partners across multiple regions, and stocked inventory of consumable fixtures for next-business-day shipment.

24h response40+ countriesLifetime support

Applications

Pellet Hardness Testing Across Six Industries

One platform, six critical industries. The KHT-PHT-01 is validated for catalyst manufacturing, fertilizer plants, iron ore pelletizers, animal feed mills, carbon black producers, and pharmaceutical pellet labs.

Catalyst Pellets

Refining, FCC, hydroprocessing, and ammonia synthesis catalyst QC. Spheres, extrudates, tablets — D4179 single pellet, D6175 radial, D7084 bulk crush.

ASTM D4179D6175D7084
Recommended: KHT-PHT-01 Pro

Iron Ore Pellets

Direct-reduction (DR) and blast-furnace (BF) feed for steelmaking. ISO 4700 cold compression strength (CCS) on 8–18 mm pellets up to 250 kg+.

ISO 4700
Recommended: KHT-PHT-01 Industrial (5 kN)

Carbon Black Pellets

Tire-grade and specialty rubber compounding QC. ASTM D5230 automated individual pellet hardness — replaces legacy D3313 method.

ASTM D5230
Recommended: KHT-PHT-01 Industrial

Fertilizer Granules

NPK, urea, DAP/MAP, and specialty fertilizer QC. ASTM D7084 bulk crush + custom single-granule methods on irregular 2–6 mm granules.

ASTM D7084
Recommended: KHT-PHT-01 Pro

Animal Feed Pellets

Poultry, aqua, swine, and ruminant feed QC. Pellet crush strength + Pellet Durability Index (PDI) on 2–8 mm extruded feed pellets.

CrushPDI
Recommended: KHT-PHT-01 Entry or Pro

Pharmaceutical Pellets

Multi-particulate dosage forms and conventional tablets. Ph. Eur. and USP friability + crush strength chapters with 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail.

Ph. Eur.USP21 CFR Part 11
Recommended: KHT-PHT-01 Custom

Pre-Configured Kits

Configurations for Every Industry

Four pre-configured kits built around the KHT-PHT-01 platform. Mix-and-match fixtures available — talk to us if your application needs a custom configuration.

KHT-PHT-01$

Entry — Single-Standard Lab

Single ASTM standard, 0–220 N range, NIST-traceable.

Includes

  • Standard parallel-platen anvil set (ASTM D4179)
  • Single-channel data acquisition software (CSV)
  • USB cable + Windows installer
  • 5-point NIST-traceable calibration certificate
  • Operator's manual + ASTM D4179 quick-reference card

Ideal For

Small QC labsAcademic R&DSingle-product catalyst plants
Force0–220 N
Data rate1 kHz
StandardsD4179
KHT-PHT-01$$

Pro — Multi-Standard Catalyst

D4179 + D6175 + D7084 with batch stats and LIMS integration.

Includes

  • Parallel-platen anvil set (D4179)
  • Hammer-anvil radial fixture (D6175)
  • Piston-cylinder bulk crush cell + 30 s auto-hold (D7084)
  • Extended software with batch statistics + PDF reports
  • Batch import/export for LIMS
  • Calibration kit (in-house verification weights)

Ideal For

RefineriesCatalyst manufacturersDaily mixed-format QC
Force0–220 N
StandardsD4179 + D6175 + D7084
Methods50 saved
KHT-PHT-01$$$

Industrial — High-Throughput + 5 kN

ISO 4700 iron ore + ASTM D5230 carbon black + 24-position auto-feed.

Includes

  • All Pro kit fixtures (D4179 + D6175 + D7084)
  • ISO 4700 anvil set (8–18 mm iron ore pellets)
  • ASTM D5230 carbon black fixture
  • 24-position rotating automatic-feed platen
  • Industrial PC + 21.5" touchscreen workstation
  • On-site commissioning + 2-day operator training (region-dependent)

Ideal For

Iron ore pelletizersCarbon black plantsHigh-volume QC labs
Force0–5 kN
StandardsAll 5 + ISO 4700
Throughput~24 / 8 min
KHT-PHT-01Custom

Custom — Pharma / R&D / OEM

21 CFR Part 11 + IQ/OQ/PQ + custom fixture engineering.

Includes

  • 21 CFR Part 11 software (audit trail, e-signature, role-based access)
  • Custom fixture design for your sample geometry (CAD review)
  • IQ/OQ/PQ validation documentation package
  • Optional GAMP 5 categorized installation
  • Optional LIMS integration via REST API
  • Extended 36-month warranty available

Ideal For

Pharma 21 CFR Part 11R&D non-standard samplesOEM line QC
ForceConfigurable
Compliance21 CFR Part 11 / GAMP 5
ValidationIQ/OQ/PQ

Honest Comparison

KHT-PHT-01 vs T1 European Brands vs Low-Cost Suppliers

We respect T1 European brands. We understand low-cost Alibaba suppliers. Here is the unvarnished comparison so you can decide where KHT fits for your QC budget and audit requirements.

CriterionLow-Cost SupplierKHT-PHT-01T1 European Brand
List Price (USD)$3–8K$15–35K$45–95K
Force AccuracyUnspecified±0.5% FS±0.5% FS
NIST-Traceable Calibration—✓✓
ISO/IEC 17025 Lab—✓✓
1 kHz Data Acquisition10–100 Hz✓✓
ASTM D4179 / D6175 / D7084Partial✓✓
ISO 4700 Iron Ore (5 kN)—✓ optional✓
21 CFR Part 11 Software—✓ optional✓
Lead Time2–4 weeks4–6 weeks12–20 weeks
Spare Parts AvailabilityMonthsDaysWeeks
Annual Recalibration Service—✓ partner network✓
Multi-Decade Brand History——✓
Audit-Ready Documentation—✓✓

KHT-PHT-01 Spec Sheet

Technical Specifications at a Glance

All values conform to or exceed ASTM D4179, D6175, D7084, D5230, and ISO 4700 instrument requirements. Custom load cell ranges and fixtures available on request.

SpecificationStandardIndustrial

Force Measurement

Force Range0–220 N0–5 kN
Force Accuracy±0.5% FS±0.5% FS
Resolution0.01 N0.05 N

Speed and Travel

Crosshead Speed0.1–500 mm/min0.1–500 mm/min
Total Travel150 mm150 mm
Speed Accuracy±0.5%±0.5%

Sample Compatibility

Single Pellet (D4179)1.6–12 mm dia.1.6–12 mm dia.
Extrudate (D6175)1.6–3.2 mm, L/D≥11.6–3.2 mm, L/D≥1
Bulk Bed (D7084)0.8–4.8 mm0.8–4.8 mm
Iron Ore (ISO 4700)—8–18 mm CCS

Software and Data

Data Acquisition Rate1 kHz1 kHz
Curve OutputForce-displacementForce-displacement
Data ExportCSV / PDFCSV / PDF / API
21 CFR Part 11OptionalOptional

Calibration and Compliance

Factory Calibration5-point NIST5-point NIST
CE MarkEN 61010-1EN 61010-1
Warranty24 months24 months

Physical Dimensions

Footprint (W × D)450 × 400 mm550 × 500 mm
Weight55 kg net85 kg net

Important Notes

  • •Force range and load cell can be customized to extend up to 10 kN for non-standard ISO 4700 testing on oversized iron ore pellets.
  • •All fixtures (parallel platens, hammer-anvil, piston cylinder, extrudate jig, ISO 4700 anvil) are interchangeable in under 60 seconds without tools.
  • •Software supports up to 50 saved test methods for instant recall across product lines.
  • •Optional 24-position automated rotating platen for high-throughput batch testing — typical run time 8 minutes per 24 pellets.
  • •All specifications verified per the latest ASTM and ISO standard revisions current as of unit ship date.

Need help selecting the right configuration? Our technical team is ready to assist.

Six Production Stages

Inside the KHT Manufacturing Process

Six stages from R&D scoping to crated shipment. Every unit traceable, calibrated, burn-in tested, and audited before it leaves the Shandong facility.

01

1. R&D and Configuration

Sales engineer maps your standard, sample geometry, throughput, and software requirements to a configuration sheet. Custom anvils, fixtures, or 21 CFR Part 11 modules are scoped here.

CAD reviewCustom fixtures21 CFR Part 11
02

2. Mechanical Assembly

Frame, cross-head, stepper drive, load cell, and anvil set are assembled and aligned in a temperature-controlled clean assembly area. Cross-head parallelism verified to ±0.02 mm.

±0.02 mmClean assemblyAligned platens
03

3. ISO 17025 Calibration

Load cell is calibrated in our ISO/IEC 17025 reference laboratory against NIST-traceable masters at five points across the working range. Calibration certificate generated and retained.

ISO 17025NIST-traceable5-point cal
04

4. 48-Hour Burn-In

Unit runs an automated 48-hour repeatability test cycling 500+ compression cycles. Drift is measured at start, mid-point, and end to surface infant-mortality failures before shipment.

48 hours500+ cyclesZero drift
05

5. Final QC and Sample Run

Software walks through every menu, every report template, every export format. Custom fixtures checked against sample drawing. CE marking and serial number applied.

<1% CVCE markingSample run
06

6. Crating and Global Shipping

Wooden export crate, foam inserts, accessory box (anvils, calibration weights, USB drive), and documentation pack. FOB Qingdao or CIF customer port per Incoterms 2020.

FOB QingdaoIPPC fumigation3–5 day air

PROVEN AT SCALE

KHT Instrument by the Numbers

40+

Countries Shipped

500+

QC Labs Worldwide

1,200+

Annual Production Capacity

±0.5%

Force Accuracy Class

Anonymized Case Studies

Customer Success Stories

Three industry case studies — anonymized but technically specific. Real KHT-PHT-01 deployments across catalyst, fertilizer, and iron ore QC labs.

Petrochemical Catalyst

Catalyst Refinery

Western Europe

−38%

Pressure-Drop Incidents

12 → 96

Batch Sample Size

18 N → 22 N

Crush Spec

Instrument: KHT-PHT-01 Pro

Refinery Cuts Reactor Pressure-Drop Failures by 38% After Switching from 10 Hz Manual Press to KHT-PHT-01

Challenge

QC lab was running ASTM D4179 single-pellet tests manually on 8–12 pellets per batch, sampling at 10 Hz. Reactor logs flagged a 14% rise in pressure-drop incidents over six months — traced to undetected friable batches that passed manual QC but cracked under reactor operating loads.

Solution

Deployed KHT-PHT-01 with 1 kHz data acquisition and 24-position rotating platen. Standardized on ASTM D4179 with ASTM D7084 bulk verification on every batch. Lab tech captures full force-displacement curves, exposing micro-fracture events the older 10 Hz instrument silently averaged out.

Result

Sample size raised from 12 to 96 pellets per batch with no added labor time. Reactor pressure-drop incidents dropped 38% over the following 12 months. Catalyst supplier rejection threshold tightened from 18 N to 22 N minimum crush force, with measurable downstream catalyst-life improvements.

“The 1 kHz data rate exposed micro-fracture events our previous instrument silently averaged out. We caught a friable catalyst batch before it shipped — that single avoided incident paid for the tester twice over.”

QC Manager, Petrochemical Catalyst Refinery, Western Europe

Fertilizer / Agrochemical

NPK Fertilizer Plant

South America

9.4% → 6.9%

In-Transit Fines

CV < 12%

Spec Stability

Months → Weeks

Formulation Cycle

Instrument: KHT-PHT-01 Pro

NPK Plant Reduces In-Transit Granule Breakage by 27% After Tightening Crush-Strength Spec

Challenge

Granular NPK fertilizer was arriving at distributors with 8–11% fines content after long-distance trucking and pneumatic spreader handling. Warranty claims and reformulation costs were mounting, but plant QC lacked an instrument capable of measuring crush strength on irregular 2–5 mm granules at production volume.

Solution

Installed KHT-PHT-01 with single-pellet anvil set and ASTM D7084 bulk crush cell. QC team established a baseline 35 N median crush spec with a tightened distribution (CV < 12%). R&D used force-displacement curves to optimize binder loading and drying time in the granulation drum.

Result

Reformulated batches showed in-transit fines reduced from 9.4% to 6.9% — a 27% relative reduction. Distributor complaints dropped to a 6-month low. R&D now uses the tester for accelerated formulation screening, completing comparisons across hundreds of recipe variations in weeks rather than months.

“We compared three suppliers. KHT was the only one that supported all four ASTM standards out of the box without ordering extra modules. Lead time was 6 weeks door-to-door, and the calibration certificate was in the crate.”

Procurement Manager, NPK Fertilizer Plant, South America

Steel / Iron Ore

Iron Ore Pelletizer

Asia

±15% → <2%

Operator Variance

91% → 99.2%

First-Pass Rate

−80%+

Shipment Disputes

Instrument: KHT-PHT-01 Industrial

Pelletizer Achieves ISO 4700 CCS 250 kg+ on 99.2% of Production After Replacing Manual Hydraulic Press

Challenge

Pelletizing plant supplied a major steel mill that demanded ISO 4700 cold compression strength (CCS) of 250 kg minimum on every shipment. Existing manual hydraulic press gave operator-dependent readings with ±15% variance, leading to disputed shipments and emergency retesting.

Solution

Replaced manual press with KHT-PHT-01 fitted with extended-range 5 kN load cell and ISO 4700 anvil set. Standardized on 60 pellets per shipment lot, automated reporting with batch statistics, mean CCS, and minimum/maximum extremes. Software pass/fail logic flags any shipment falling below contract spec before release.

Result

Inter-operator variance dropped from ±15% to <2%. 99.2% of monthly production now meets the 250 kg+ CCS contract floor on first pass, up from 91% under manual testing. Steel mill QA department audited and approved the tester for incoming inspection use, cutting dispute frequency by 80%+ in the first 6 months.

“Repeatability is now under 2% versus 15% on the old manual press. Our steel-mill customer audited and approved the instrument as a primary inspection tool — the dispute volume dropped immediately.”

Plant Quality Director, Iron Ore Pelletizing Plant, Asia

Customer Voices

What Lab Engineers Say

Five testimonials from QC, R&D, validation, and procurement leads across our six industries.

The 1 kHz data rate exposed micro-fracture events our previous 10 Hz instrument averaged out. We caught a friable catalyst batch before it shipped — that single avoided incident paid for the tester twice over.

QC Manager

Petrochemical Catalyst Manufacturer

Germany

KHT-PHT-01 Pro

ASTM D4179 single-pellet QC on 0.8–6 mm formed catalyst spheres

We run 60 pellets per shipment lot for ISO 4700 CCS. Repeatability is now under 2% versus 15% on the old manual press. Our steel-mill customer audited and approved the instrument as a primary inspection tool.

Plant Quality Director

Iron Ore Pelletizing Plant

Brazil

KHT-PHT-01 Industrial

ISO 4700 cold compression strength on 10–16 mm iron ore pellets, 5 kN load cell

Fixture changeover under a minute means we test single pellets, extrudates, and bulk crush on one instrument every shift. The software auto-formats reports for our customer's CoA — no more manual transcription.

R&D Engineer

Specialty Catalyst Producer

United States

KHT-PHT-01 Pro

Multi-method daily QC: D4179 + D6175 + D7084 on 1.6–3.2 mm extrudates

The 21 CFR Part 11 module passed our internal audit on first review. Audit trail and e-signatures meet our pharma data integrity SOP. The PDF reports are accepted as-is by our notified body.

QA / Validation Lead

Pharmaceutical Pellet Manufacturer

India

KHT-PHT-01 Custom

21 CFR Part 11 single-pellet hardness on coated nutraceutical pellets

We compared three suppliers. KHT was the only one that supported all four ASTM standards out of the box without ordering extra modules. Lead time was 6 weeks door-to-door, and the calibration certificate was in the crate.

Procurement Manager

NPK Fertilizer / Agrochemical Plant

Indonesia

KHT-PHT-01 Pro

ASTM D7084 bulk crush + custom granule fixture for 2–5 mm NPK granules

Compliance

Five Standards Built Into Every Test

KHT-PHT-01 ships ready for the ASTM and ISO standards your QC lab depends on. No retrofitting, no upgrade module, no pay-to-unlock.

ASTM D5230Carbon Black

Automated individual pellet hardness for tire-grade carbon black. Replaces legacy D3313 method.

ASTM D4179Single Pellet

Single pellet crush strength of formed catalysts and catalyst carriers — 0–220 N range.

ASTM D6175Extruded Catalyst

Radial crush strength of extruded catalyst particles 1.6–3.2 mm with L/D ≥ 1.

ASTM D7084Bulk Crush

Bulk crush strength of formed catalyst particles 0.8–4.8 mm with mandatory 30-second hold.

ISO 4700Iron Ore

Cold compression strength (CCS) on 8–18 mm DR and BF pellets — 250 kg+ contracted spec.

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical Guides

Pellet Hardness Testing Resources

Standards explainers, application case studies, and buyer guides for pellet hardness QC professionals.

Fundamentals

What Is Pellet Hardness — and Why It Decides Reactor and Pellet Bed Performance

Definition, measurement methods, the four critical ASTM standards, and how pellet hardness predicts reactor pressure drop, transport breakage, and dissolution variability.

Read more Buying Guide

How to Choose a Pellet Hardness Tester for Your Application in 2026

Decision framework: load cell range, data rate, fixture compatibility, software requirements, and budget. Includes T1 vs KHT vs low-cost trade-off analysis.

Read more Standards

ASTM D4179 Step-by-Step: Single Pellet Crush Strength Method for Catalyst QC

Sample preparation, platen flatness verification, loading rate selection, and statistical handling of 25+ pellet replicates per batch.

Read more Business Case

Automated Pellet Hardness Testing ROI: When the Tester Pays for Itself

Calculate the avoided incident value, labor reduction, and audit risk reduction that justifies an automated pellet hardness tester for catalyst, iron ore, and fertilizer plants.

Read more
View All Resources

Ready to Specify Your Pellet Hardness Tester?

Factory-direct pricing, NIST-traceable calibration certificate, and lifetime technical support. Tell us your application and we respond within 24 hours.