Tap Density Analyzer

For this measurement, Quantachrome has developed two instruments which conform to USP <616> method II, the British Pharmacopoeia method for Apparent Volume and ASTM standard test methods B527, D4164 and D4781 for Tap Density. These two models, the Autotap and the two sample Dual Autotap, automate the required procedures to provide accurate, reproducible values.

Samples are placed in standard graduated cylinders and mounted on a universal tap platform designed to accommodate cylinders from 10 ml to 1000 ml. Rotation of the tap platform facilitates reading by keeping a flat interface. After noting the initial volume and weight of the material, tapping is started.

If the material characteristic is unknown, tapping may be done continuously, or step-wise by user specified numbers of taps, while noting or graphing the results until the volume becomes constant. In either case the number of taps is displayed. Once the material characteristic is known the proper number of taps, typically thousands, can be preset on subsequent runs thus freeing the operator for other work.