Indo Activated Carbon / Reading a grade sheet
Reading a grade sheet
A grade sheet is a list of limits. Read it from your application backwards, then check that each limit has a method behind it.
Seven steps
- 1. Start from the useGold, water, air and liquid decolorizing ask for different things. Write down the molecule or process before you read any number.
- 2. Check form and meshGranular, powder or pellet, and the mesh range. Particle size changes flow, dust and contact time.
- 3. Check hardnessCritical where carbon is moved or stirred. It is a minimum.
- 4. Check ash and moistureBoth are maximums. Ash shows leachable minerals; moisture is weight you pay for.
- 5. Check the adsorption numberIodine number, butane or CTC activity. Match it to your use; do not chase the highest.
- 6. Ask for the methodASTM or another named method, and which edition. Different methods give different numbers for the same carbon.
- 7. Ask for lab, date and lotA number is only as good as the report behind it.
What the numbers can look like
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Test method | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iodine number | 800–1,300 | mg/g min | ASTM D4607 | Supplier table |
| CTC activity | 50–80 | % min | Not found | Supplier table |
| Hardness | 95–99 | % min | ASTM D3802 | Supplier table |
| Ash | 5 (3 washed) | % max | ASTM D2866 | Supplier table |
| Moisture | 5 (2 washed) | % max | ASTM D2867 | Supplier table |
| Apparent density | 0.40–0.54 | g/cc | Not stated | Supplier table |
Source: Ecologix Systems product page, read 2026-10-20. The supplier states these ranges itself. Method numbers come from standards listings and are not printed on that page.
Verified · Ranges as printed by the supplier. Method column: under research, editions to be checked.
Warning signs
- Numbers with no test method, or no date.
- A certificate named without a number.
- Two pages of one site that disagree.
- Only the highest grade shown, with no limits for the rest.
Under research, not yet verified · In the supplier pages we read, none printed the test method beside its numbers.