Question 1

What is the difference between ASTM D4179, D6175, and D7084?

Accepted Answer

ASTM D4179 measures single-pellet crush strength of spheres, short cylinders, or tablets in axial compression. ASTM D6175 measures radial crush strength of extruded particles 1.6–3.2 mm in diameter, with the load applied perpendicular to the extrudate axis. ASTM D7084 measures bulk crush strength of a particle bed 0.8–4.8 mm using a piston-cylinder cell and a 30-second hold time. The KHT-PHT-01 supports all three with interchangeable fixtures on a single instrument.

Question 2

Does the KHT-PHT-01 meet ISO 4700 cold compression strength testing for iron ore pellets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With the extended 5 kN load cell and ISO 4700 anvil set, the KHT-PHT-01 measures cold compression strength on 8–18 mm iron ore pellets up to and beyond the 250 kg minimum specification required by major steel mills. The instrument has been validated against reference iron ore pellets and is currently in use at iron ore pelletizing plants supplying steel customers in multiple regions.

Question 3

Can the software produce reports compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 for pharmaceutical labs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the optional 21 CFR Part 11 module. The module adds electronic signatures, an immutable audit trail of all system events, and role-based access controls (operator / supervisor / admin). It supports GAMP 5 categorization for validated environments and ships with IQ/OQ/PQ documentation templates. Pharmaceutical customers in regulated markets have passed internal data integrity audits using this module.

Question 4

What is the typical lead time from purchase order to delivery?

Accepted Answer

Standard lead time is 4–6 weeks from confirmed PO to crated shipment from Shandong, China. Air freight to most destinations adds 3–5 business days, sea freight adds 4–6 weeks but at lower cost for bulk orders. Custom configurations or pharmaceutical IQ/OQ/PQ packages may extend lead time to 8–10 weeks. We confirm exact delivery timing in the formal quote.

Question 5

How is the instrument calibrated, and how often should it be recalibrated?

Accepted Answer

Each instrument is factory-calibrated at 5 force points (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of full scale) against NIST-traceable reference weights. The signed calibration certificate ships inside the export crate. Annual recalibration is recommended for routine QC use. We coordinate on-site recalibration through ISO 17025 partner labs in most regions, or customers can ship the instrument to a regional service center.

Question 6

Can one KHT-PHT-01 handle catalyst, fertilizer, iron ore, feed, carbon black, and pharmaceutical pellets?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that is exactly what the instrument is designed for. With the Industrial kit (extended 5 kN load cell + all five fixture sets), one KHT-PHT-01 covers all six industries on a single benchtop. Fixture changeover takes under 60 seconds without tools. Lab managers report this consolidates what was previously 2–3 separate instruments down to one platform, with corresponding savings on calibration cost, training time, and bench footprint.

Question 7

What is the difference between crush strength and friability testing?

Accepted Answer

Crush strength measures the force required to fracture an individual pellet or compress a particle bed under direct compression — it answers 'how hard is the pellet?' Friability (typically ASTM D4058 for catalysts or pharmacopeial methods for pharmaceuticals) measures attrition loss through tumbling or rotational abrasion — it answers 'how resistant is the pellet to surface wear?' The two tests measure different mechanical properties and are complementary, not interchangeable. The KHT-PHT-01 measures crush strength only; friability requires a separate tumbler instrument.

Question 8

Why does 1 kHz data acquisition matter compared to slower instruments?

Accepted Answer

Pellet fracture events typically occur in milliseconds. Older instruments sampling at 10 Hz capture only one data point every 100 ms, which is enough to miss the true peak force and the micro-fracture inflections that precede full failure. At 1 kHz, the KHT-PHT-01 captures 100 times more data, locking in the exact peak force and exposing pre-fracture damage that would otherwise average out. For friable catalyst pellets and brittle ceramic-bound granules, this difference is the gap between a passed batch and a missed quality issue.

KHT-PHT-01 Pellet Hardness Tester

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

What Is the KHT-PHT-01 Pellet Hardness Tester?

Detailed Technical Specifications

Software Features and Data Integrity

Accessories and Interchangeable Fixtures

Standards Compliance and Calibration

How to Order and Lead Time

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Specify Your KHT-PHT-01?