Speedy Moisture Testers are used throughout the world by a diverse range of industries to measure the moisture content of materials including soils, aggregates, concrete, sand and powders.

Principal users include geotechnical engineers on civil engineering projects, building surveyors and restorers. Other substantial user groups include mining , steel production,foundries and ceramics

 Operating Principle

The Speedy tester is a portable system comprising a vessel/flask with an integral pressure gauge, a weighing scale and a carry case. A small sample of the material is prepared weighed and placed into the vessel/flask. A reagent is then added and the vessel is sealed and shaken to mix the reagent with the sample. Free moisture within the sample reacts with the reagent to produce a gas and pressure rises within the vessel that is proportional to the amount of moisture. The moisture content value is then read directly from the calibrated pressure gauge.

 Speedy 2000 Series

The Speedy 2000 series of moisture testers combines time proven dependability of the pressure test procedure with the convenience of a electronic balance. Moisture measurements are obtained by following a simple test procedure.

 Speedy Tester Reagent

500g cans of high quality Speedy Calcium Carbide Reagent are supplied in boxes of 12 or 24 units

Because of the hazardous nature of the reagent, it is packed in custom made boxes and covered by the required documentation for road, sea or airfreight.
 

 Speedy Moisture Tester In Use

Road & Highways

Knowledge of the moisture content of soil is crucial throughout geotechnical engineering practice. Engineers use the Speedy for field control of compacted earth embankments and other structures and to measure the water content of soil to ensure it is within specified ranges.

Confidence in the test results is crucial, but the the test equipment also has to be robust and simple to use. The Speedy tester meets both of these requirements. it is recommended by the American Society of State Highway Transport Officials (ASSHTO) and by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Aggregates, Sand and Concrete

The moisture content of freshly mixed concrete affects the workability, blending, segregation, strength and drying rate of the finished product. The Speedy tester is an ideal on-site quality control tool that tenables the site manager to ensure best practice is being followed. Moisture levels of aggregates and sand can be chcecked prior to use to ensure that the correct amount of water is added when mixing with cement. The moisture content of ready-mix concrete can be checked on site arrival to ensure it is within specification.

 

Building Restoration & Refurbishment

Building surveyors involved with diagnosing the cause of dampness in buildings use the Speedy tester to dettermine the moisture level in walls and floors. The Speedy complements moisture meters and hygrometers that are also used for diagnosis.

If the structure under investigation is contaminated with conductive hygroscopic salts, moisture meter readings may not truly reflect the moisture condition. Ambiguity that may be associated with interpretng moisture meter readngs in contaminated material are reduced by also measuring the actual moisture content of wall or floor samples with the Speedy tester and by using a hygrometer to measure the material's equilibrium relative humidity (ERH).

The Building Research Establishment Digest 245 details how a Speedy tester is used in the context of rising dampness diagnosis and treatment.

Solid Floors

If moisture-related floor failures are to be avoided, concrete floor slabs, cementitious screeds and anhydrite screeds have to be in a dry condition before decorative floor finishes, including wood, vinyl and carpet are laid.

Many countries have adopted floor testing standards that use ERH measuremnet techniques whilst others use the DIN18365 standard which specifies moisture content measurement techniques. The Speedy tester is used to measure the moisture content of a sample of material removed from the floor before the decorative finish is laid.

 

 Speedy 2000 Series Specification

Series	L2000	S2000
Scope of supply	Large Speedy vessel fitted with	Standard Speedy vessel fitted
(Note that the calcium	calibrated pressure gauge,	with calibrated pressure gauge,
carbide reagent that is	electronic balance, heavy duty	electronic balance, heavy duty
used with the Speedy	carry case with fitted foam	carry case with fitted foam
testers must be ordered	inserts, cleaning brush and	inserts, cleaning brush and
separately)	cloth, two steel sample-	cloth, measuring scoop,
	pulverising balls, measuring	instructions
	scoop, instructions
Nominal gross weight	6kg	5.5kg
Nominal gross dimensions	51 x 38 x 20 cm	51 x 38 x 20 cm
Moisture measurement range	0 - 20 % (standard)	0 - 20 % (standard)
expressed as a percentage of	0 - 10 % (option)	0 - 5 % (option)
the wet weight of the sample.	0 - 50 % (option)	0 - 10 % (option)
Sample weight	For 0 - 20 %mc range : 20g	For 0 - 20 %mc range : 6g
	For 0 - 10 %mc range : 40g	For 0 -5 %mc range : 10g
	For 0 - 50 %mc range : 8g	For 0 - 10 %mc range : 12g
Maximum sample size	20mm	10mm

Detailed information information on all of our product ranges can be found in our catalogue, available for download in the Products area.