The density of an iron briquette is one of the most important indicators to measure whether a metal briquetting machine performs well. A qualified briquetting machine should produce briquettes that are compact, uniform, and close to the theoretical density of solid metal. So, how can we calculate the density of an iron briquette accurately?

Step 1: Understanding the Density Formula

An iron briquette can usually be treated as a solid flat cylinder, so its density can be calculated in two steps — first by measuring the mass, then by finding the volume, and finally by applying the density formula.

General formula for density:

ρ = m / V

Where:

• ρ (rho) = Density, in g/cm³ or kg/m³
• m = Mass, in grams (g) or kilograms (kg)
• V = Volume, in cubic centimeters (cm³) or cubic meters (m³)

Step 2: Calculating the Volume of the Briquette (V)

Because the iron briquette is shaped like a short cylinder, its volume can be found using:

V = π × r² × h

However, it’s often easier to use the diameter (d) instead of the radius (r), since it’s more convenient to measure directly. Since r = d / 2, the formula becomes:

V = π × d² × h / 4

Where:

• π (pi) ≈ 3.1416
• d = Diameter of the briquette
• h = Thickness (height) of the briquette

Note: Make sure that both diameter and height use the same unit (e.g., cm), so the resulting volume is in cm³.

Step 3: Step-by-Step Calculation Process

1. Measure the mass (m): Use an electronic scale or balance to weigh the briquette and record its mass in grams (g).
2. Measure the dimensions:
   • Use a caliper or measuring tape to measure the diameter (d) in centimeters (cm).
   • Measure the thickness (h) in centimeters (cm).
3. Calculate the volume (V): Substitute the measured diameter and thickness into the formula: V = π × (d/2)² × h. The result will be in cubic centimeters (cm³).
4. Calculate the density (ρ): Divide the mass by the volume using ρ = m / V. If mass is in grams and volume in cm³, the density will be in g/cm³.

Example Calculation

Let’s take a real example of an iron briquette:

• Mass (m) = 2000 g
• Diameter (d) = 22 cm
• Thickness (h) = 4.4 cm

Step 1: Calculate the volume (V):
r = 22 / 2 = 11 cm
V = 3.1416 × (11)² × 4.4 ≈ 1672.5 cm³

Step 2: Calculate the density (ρ):
ρ = 2000 / 1672.5 ≈ 1.196 g/cm³

This result (≈1.2 g/cm³) is much lower than the density of pure iron (7.87 g/cm³). That means the briquette might not be solid enough or may contain voids, showing why density is such an important measure of briquetting quality.

Conclusion

Density measurement is a simple but essential way to evaluate the performance of a metal briquetting machine. Higher density means better compaction, less residual oil, and more efficient recycling. It also reflects the strength and stability of the machine’s hydraulic system.

About LEEXIN Hydraulic

LEEXIN Hydraulic is a professional manufacturer based in China, specializing in metal briquetting machine, iron chip briquetting machine, pin briquetting machine, wood and paper chip briquetting machine, and energy-saving hydraulic systems. We are dedicated to providing efficient and eco-friendly hydraulic solutions to help our customers reduce waste, save energy, and improve metal recycling value.