Data of Moisture Content Determination

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Measurement Programs
  3. Test Improvements
  4. Data of Moisture Content

1. Introduction

The data presented here was obtained by the moisture content determination test of typical materials with the MX50.
Sample pan temperature, measurement programs and so forth also apply to the MS-70, MF-50, or ML-50. To measure a sample with low moisture content, refer to "2.Measurement Programs" and "3-4 Others".
Be sure to read the instruction manual before measurement.

2. Measurement Programs

 
1) Mean values and repeatability of moisture content data and average analysis time are obtained by tests repeated 3 to 5 times.
2) Standard drying is used to maintain a constant drying temperature.
3) Moisture content is based on wet base moisture.
Wet base moisture = ((Wet sample mass - Dried sample mass) / Wet sample mass) x 100 (%)
4) Grain samples are ground before measurement so that moisture in the sample can evaporate.
5) Where a sample is liquid or has thin membrane on its surface, the optional glass fiber sheet (AX-MX-32-1) is applied.
6) A sample whose moisture content is less than 1%, such as plastic, is measured with the MX-50 set to "Standard mode" and "HI" measurement accuracy.
To measure under the equivalent conditions, set each model as follows:
MS-70: "Standard mode" and "MID" measurement accuracy
MF-50: "Automatic mode" under "User mode" with a termination value of "0.02%/min"
7) The recommended sample weight in "Standard mode" is 5g when the measurement accuracy is set to "MID", and 10g, when "HI". However, when a sample is liquid, the quantity should be as much as a glass fiber sheet can absorb once (that is about 1g), and when solid, it should be as much as can be spread evenly on a sample pan after crushed.

3. Test Improvement

3-1.Analysis Time

Analysis time can be shortened by the following methods:  
1) Set higher heating temperature.
2) Lessen sample weight.
3) Obtain more surface area by crushing a solid sample or the use of a glass fiber sheet for liquid sample.

3-2.Measurement Accuracy

Measurement accuracy may be highest when measured at suitable drying temperature, depending on sample's characteristics.
For how to decide suitable heating condition, referring to each material, the procedure is described below. All the samples tested may fall into 3 categories according to the patterns of the curves of moisture content rate change, as explained below. When clicking the each material's name shown below, you can check data measured at 20C increments from 100 to 200C with links to their graphs. To view the graphs, Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary (English Version).
Note: When the PC has an inappropriate setting or has old software version, it may not show the graph data.
 
1) A pattern where the same moisture content rate can be obtained despite the drying temperature change, as the sample can resist heat. The higher the drying temperature is, the faster the measurement completes.

Examples of such material are: Sodium Tartrate Dihydrate, Starch, Corn Starch, Hand Soap and Laundry Starch.

2) A pattern where as drying temperature reaches a certain point, the moisture content rate increases rapidly. It is best to measure at a drying temperature that is before the increase. The sudden shift after constant results means that something other than water, such as oil content, additives and organic matter vaporizes as they decomposes. Therefore, to get an accurate measurement result, setting the temperature to high is no recommended.

Examples of such material are: Soybean Powder, Ground Butter Peanuts and Citric Acid.

3) A pattern where the moisture content rate has difficulty stabilizing at any drying temperature setting, The heating system and detection of weight loss method may not suitable to determine the sample's moisture content. Sample with volatile oil and black surface are easy to carbonize, which makes it difficult to obtain correct moisture content rate. However the sample's evaluation is possible when temperature setting, drying rate and sample quantity are the same for each measurement. Also, analysis time may be shortened and measurement accuracy improved if carbonization of sample's surface can be avoided by placing a glass fiber sheet on the sample. 

Examples of such material are: Ground Coffee Beans and Green Tea Leaves.


3-3.Optimum Temperature Search (OTS) program, RsTemp

WinCT-Moisture incorporates RsTemp that searches optimum heating temperature to measure moisture content rate of a material.
OTS lets the moisture analyzer change its heating temperature between 100C and 200C per20C. Analyze data and suggest an appropriate temperature setting for moisture content determination based on moisture content or moisture content rate. (Those parameters for the heating pattern can be changed when needed.) For further information, refer to RsTemp_ReadMe.
The following are graphs and results of actual measurement of samples with RsTemp, classified in 3-3. Clicking a samplefs name allows you to display its data on a graph by PDF. To view the graphs, Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary (English Version).
Note: When the PC has an inappropriate setting or has old software version, it may not show the graph data.
1)A pattern where the same moisture contents rate result can be obtained despite the heating temperature change, as the sample can resist heat.
Examples of such material are: Sodium Tartrate Dihydrate, Starch and Corn Starch
2)A pattern where as heating temperature reaches a point moisture content rate leaps up.
Examples of such material are: Soybean Powder and Ground Butter Peanuts
3)A pattern where moisture content rate can not be stabilized at any heating temperature setting.
Examples of such material are: Ground Coffee Beans

Reference) Where sample is liquid and rich in sugar such as honey, repeatability may be better at a 20C to 40C lower temperature than one rated A.

3-4.Others


Other fundamental things to consider when using the moisture analyzer are as follows:

 
1) Measure with appropriate sample weight. A sample lighter than the recommended weight can impede the accuracy of moisture content measurement and the repeatability of the result. A sample heavier than the recommended weight takes more time in measuring. If same material is to be tested repeatedly, use the sample weight for each measurement.
Particularly, the sample weight is critical when measuring samples with low moisture content, such as plastic, because an accurate measurement may be difficult to obtain due to the small amount of moisture. Predicted moisture content and necessary sample weight are as below:
Predicted moisture contentNecessary sample weight
0.1%20g or more
0.5%5g or more
1%2g or more
2) Spread sample on the pan to be evenly heated.
3) Moisture analyzers, which heat and detect weight loss, are suitable for moisture content measurement of samples where only water content vaporizes. Weight loss due to vaporization or decomposition of materials other than water could be measured as moisture content, which will result in a measurement error.
4) The analyzer needs a pre-heating process before measurement. When measuring samples repeatedly or continuously, the first result is always different from the other results.
5) Place a sample on the sample pan that has cooled to room temperature. When a sample is placed on a hot sample pan, the moisture content is diffused before measurement, and precise results are not possible. It is recommend that multiple sample pans.
When measuring samples with low moisture content, in addition to replacing the sample pan, cooling the moisture analyzer for more than ten minutes may increase the repeatability of the test results.
6) Where the sample's color is dark, place an optional glass fiber sheet (AX-MX-32-1 or AX-MX-32-2) on the sample. It may reduce the sample carbonization and increase the repeatability of the test results.

4. Data of Moisture Content

 
1) Measurement program:
+ "Standard-MID" means that "Standard mode" is selected and measurement accuracy is set "MID".
+ "Automatic-(0.005%/min)"means that "Automatic mode" is selected and termination value is set with "0.005%/min".
2) Process time: Mean value of time from the start of the measurement to the completion.
3) Mean value: Mean value of moisture content.
4) Repeatability: Standard Deviation of moisture content.
5) CV value: Coefficient Variation value = (Repeatability / Mean value of moisture content) x 100 (%)
6) Click a sample's name to display a graph that shows measurement results. Note that Adobe Acrobat Reader (English version) is required to display.
Note: When the PC has an inappropriate setting or has old software version, it may not show the graph data.
Commodity
No. Classifi-cation Sample Weight
(g)
Measurement Program Tempera-ture
(C)
Process time
(Min)
Moisture Content Remarks
Mean Value
(%)
Repeat-ability
(%)
CV Value
(%)
1 Commodity Tobacco 1 Standard-MID 100 6.5 10.58 0.339 3.20 Flake leaves and test.
Smells strong while heating. 
2 Commodity Dried Dog Food 1 Standard-MID 160 9.2 8.68 0.059 0.68 Crush with hand mixer.
Smells strong while heating.
3 Commodity Tooth Paste 1 Standard-MID 180 6.4 36.43 0.472 1.30 Place the sample evenly on the pan.
4 Commodity Laundry Starch
(Liquid)
1 Standard-MID 200 5.5 93.38 0.170 0.18 Use a grass fiber sheet.
5 Commodity Starch Glue
(Paste)
5 Standard-MID 200 14.0 83.34 0.102 0.12 Place the sample evenly on the pan.
6 Commodity Bond
(Paste)
1 Standard-MID 200 9.7 61.30 0.309 0.50 Place the sample evenly on the pan.
7 Commodity Hand Soap
(Liquid)
1 Standard-MID 200 6.0 92.01 0.157 0.17 Use a grass fiber sheet.
8 Commodity Lipstick 1 Standard-MID 1001.9 0.778 0.193824.91 Spread the sample directly.
9 Commodity Liquid Foundation 1 Standard-MID 14012.6 75.93 0.1260.166 Use a grass fiber sheet.
10Commodity Silver Fir Chip
(Dried)
1 Standard-MID2003.711.170.0810.73
11Commodity Silica Sand10 Standard-HI2002.30.4980.074114.88
12Commodity Cement
(Powder)
5 Standard-MID2003.00.4080.02225.44
13Commodity Putty
(Paste)
1 Standard-MID2007.333.730.5491.63
14 Commodity Synthetic Resin Paint
(Acrylic and Aqueous Fluid Type)
1 Standard-MID 200 13.653.930.1500.28 Use a grass fiber sheet.
15Commodity Xerox Paper1 Standard-MID2002.84.690.1743.17 Cut the sample into small bits.
16CommodityCardboard1 Standard-MID1004.26.660.1091.64 Cut the sample into small bits.
Food A(Grain, Beans, Sea Foods, Seasonings, Spices and Flavoring)
No. Classifi-cation Sample Weight
(g)
Measurement Program Tempera-ture
(C)
Process time
(Min)
Moisture Content Remarks
Mean Value
(%)
Repeat-ability
(%)
CV Value
(%)
17 Food Corn Grits
(Powder)
5 Standard-MID 160 17.5 12.06 0.072 0.60
18 Food Corn Starch
(Powder)
5 Standard-MID 200 7.1 12.74 0.137 1.08
19 Food Starch 5 Standard-MID 180 7.8 15.95 0.157 0.99
20 Food Buckwheat Flour 5 Standard-MID 180 10.2 15.13 0.191 1.26
21 Food Soft Flour 5 Standard-MID 200 7.3 13.03 0.260 2.00
22 Food Floured Rice 5 Standard-MID 200 7.6 12.89 0.134 1.04
23 Food Oats 5 Standard-MID 200 13.7 13.56 0.066 0.49
24 Food Preprocessed Oats
(Grain)
1 Standard-MID 160 19.7 11.80 0.352 2.98
25 Food White Rice 5 Standard-MID 200 14.3 15.88 0.198 1.25 Crush with hand mixer.
26Food Pre-cooked Rice1 Standard-MID20015.364.510.3840.60
27 Food Soybean Powder 5 Standard-MID 160 8.2 9.92 0.061 0.61
28Food Cashew Nuts5 Standard-MID1408.53.040.0100.33 Crush with hand mixer.
29Food Butter Peanuts5 Standard-MID1409.62.100.0773.67 Crush with hand mixer.
30 Food Ground Coffee Beans
(Powder)
5 Standard-MID 140 9.8 4.43 0.036 0.81
31FoodDried Squid2 Standard-MID18020.526.210.3121.19 Cut the sample into small bits.
32FoodBoiled Dried Fish2 Standard-MID1608.317.280.2351.36 Crush with hand mixer.
33Food Dried Whitebait5 Standard-MID20015.370.230.2460.35
34Food Dried Bonito Fish Flake1 Standard-MID1206.014.690.7705.24 Crush with hand mixer.
35Food Fish Sausage2 Standard-MID20015.678.020.2270.29 Cut the sample into small bits.
36 Food Sugar Crystals
(Powder)
5 Standard-MID 160 1.7 0.162 0.0130 8.02
37 Food Soft Brown Sugar
(Powder)
5 Standard-MID 160 5.4 0.973 0.0386 3.97
38 Food Seasoned Salt 5 Standard-MID 100 1.1 0.086 0.0151 17.56
39 Food Salt 5 Standard-MID 200 1.7 0.160 0.0082 5.00
40Food Flavour Seasoning5 Standard-MID1008.51.550.0201.29
41Food Ketchup1 Standard-MID16016.170.420.6430.91 Tuck the sample between two glass fiber sheets.
42Food Mayonnaise
(Egg yolk type)
1 Standard-MID2002.919.650.2351.20
43FoodPepper
(Cracked)
5 Standard-MID16015.912.230.1421.16
44FoodChilli Pepper Powder5 Standard-MID12017.35.810.0601.03
45FoodSeasoned Chilli Pepper Powder5 Standard-MID12016.94.900.0851.73
46FoodPowder Mustard5 Standard-MID1409.34.760.0511.07
47FoodPowder Horse Radish5 Standard-MID14011.43.700.0822.22
48FoodHorse Radish
(Grated)
1 Standard-MID20015.139.070.1230.32 Crush the sample from above a glass fiber sheet.
49Food Ginger
(Grated)
1 Standard-MID20011.984.770.4390.52
50food Dijon mustard
(Paste)
1 Standard-MID20013.554.550.4160.76
51 Food Citric Acid 5 Standard-MID 100 7.2 4.54 0.210 4.63
52 Food Anhydrous Glucose 5 Standard-MID 140 1.7 0.696 0.0054 0.78
Food B(Processed foods, Dairy products, Snacks and Sweets, Beverage and others)
No. Classifi-cation Sample Weight
(g)
Measurement Program Tempera-ture
(C)
Process time
(Min)
Moisture Content Remarks
Mean Value
(%)
Repeat-ability
(%)
CV Value
(%)
53Food Bread1 Standard-MID1607.336.650.5501.50 Measure after breaking into bits.
54Food Bread Crumbs1 Standard-MID2006.232.360.5051.56
55Food Dried Soup5 Standard-MID14014.14.730.0791.67
56FoodInstant Bean Paste Soup1 Standard-MID16012.963.430.7281.15 Tuck the sample between two glass fiber sheets.
57FoodInstant Chinese Noodle2 Standard-MID1409.61.530.0915.96 Crush the sample by tapping the sample
58Food Sippet2 Standard-MID1608.45.680.1192.10 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
59Food Brown Rice Cereal2 Standard-MID1607.94.420.0711.61 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
60Food Dried Pasta2 Standard-MID20015.813.700.2111.54 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
61Food Dried Wheat Noodle5 Standard-MID20020.013.360.1090.82 Cut the sample by about 3cm.
62Food Dried Bean Starch Vermicelli2 Standard-MID20015.814.800.1501.01 Cut the sample by about 3cm.
63 Food Dried Brown Seaweed 1 Standard-MID 200 9.2 11.49 0.367 3.19 Crush with hand mixer. 
64Food Wood Ear
(Sliced)
2 Standard-MID18018.313.130.2271.73 Cut the sample by about 3cm.
65Food Beef Jerky2 Standard-MID20026.727.650.2430.88 Cut the sample into small bits.
66Food Rice Cracker5 Standard-MID14017.16.930.0450.65 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
67Food Cookie5 Standard-MID1405.52.000.0542.70 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
68Food Caramel2 Standard-MID14016.45.940.0711.20 Press the sample to 1mm thick and put on a glass fiber sheet.
69Food Banana chips
(Sliced and Dried)
1 Standard-MID1807.04.530.0601.32 Measure after crushing.
70Food Potato Crisps5 Standard-MID1409.31.880.0542.87 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
71Food Snack
(Shrimp Flavour)
5 Standard-MID1606.42.540.0431.69 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
72Food Snack
(Instant Fried Noodle)
5 Standard-MID1408.71.310.0392.98 Crush the sample by tapping the sample.
73Food Jam1 Standard-MID16017.033.960.1090.32
74Food Honey
(Drying temperature,120C)
1 Standard-MID12020.317.760.2821.59 Put on a glass fiber sheet.
75Food Honey
(Drying temperature,140C)
1 Standard-MID14014.519.380.5392.78 Put on a glass fiber sheet.
76Food Honey
(Drying temperature,160C)
1 Standard-MID16020.422.921.5996.98 Put on a glass fiber sheet.
77Food Condensed Milk1 Standard-MID14011.925.590.4001.59 Put on a glass fiber sheet.
78 Food Milk Substitute
(Liquid)
1 Standard-MID 200 4.5 61.83 0.491 0.79 Use a grass fiber sheet.
79Food Fat spread1 Standard-MID1405.828.670.0600.21
80Food Butter
(Solid,Salted)
1 Standard-MID1404.114.940.1861.24
81 Food Grated Cheese 1 Standard-MID 160 8.1 10.65 0.252 2.37
82Food Skimmed Milk2 Standard-MID14016.76.490.2553.93
83Food Modified Power milk
(for nursing)
2 Standard-HI1206.73.290.0150.46
84Food Milk1 Standard-MID1406.787.110.0690.08 Use a grass fiber sheet.
85Food YoghurtA1 Standard-MID16011.581.170.3830.47 Use a grass fiber sheet.
86Food YoghurtB1 Automatic-(0.5%/min)1805.488.070.2090.24 Tuck the sample between two glass fiber sheets.
87Food Soy Milk1 Standard-MID1805.690.110.1420.16 Use a grass fiber sheet.
88 Food Green Tea Leaves 5 Standard-MID 140 11.6 5.53 0.023 0.42 Crush with hand mixer. 
89Food Instant Coffee A1 Standard-MID1207.17.660.1001.31
90Food Instant Coffee B4 Standard-MID1005.92.060.0552.67
91Food Orange Juice1 Standard-MID1407.389.480.2090.23 Use a grass fiber sheet.
92Food Powdered Cold Beverage5 Standard-MID1202.70.4080.047611.67
93Food Cold Beverage
(Jellylike)
1 Standard-MID14017.576.300.2850.37 Use a grass fiber sheet.
94 Food Agar Powder 5 Standard-MID 180 8.5 17.76 0.125 0.70
95 Food Gelatin
(Powder)
5 Standard-MID 200 15.4 16.03 0.223 1.39
Chemicals, Industrial Products, Plastic, Electronic Parts and Rubber
No. Classifi-cation Sample Weight
(g)
Measurement Program Tempera-ture
(C)
Process time
(Min)
Moisture Content Remarks
Mean Value
(%)
Repeat-ability
(%)
CV Value
(%)
96Chemicals Skin-Care Cream
(Paste)
1 Standard-MID16016.077.060.5430.70 Tuck the sample between two glass fiber sheets.
97 Chemicals Sodium Tartrate Dihydrate 5 Standard-MID 160 6.8 15.74 0.010 0.06
98 Chemicals Cellulose 5 Standard-MID 180 5.2 4.37 0.136 3.11
99 Chemicals Calcium Stearate 5 Standard-MID 180 7.6 2.90 0.030 1.03 Smells strong while heating. 
100 Chemicals Zinc Oxide 5 Standard-HI 200 2.1 0.148 0.0084 5.68 Reference:
Average moisture content 0.080%, Repeat-ability 0.0099% and average process time 9.2 mins at 200C with 2g by Karl Fischer method. 
101 Chemicals Aluminum Oxide 5 Standard-HI 200 2.4 0.098 0.0130 13.27
102 Chemicals Magnesium Oxide 2 Standard-HI 200 5.2 1.52 0.164 10.79
103 Chemicals Talc 5 Standard-HI 200 2.5 0.144 0.0114 7.92
104 Chemicals Calcium Carbonate 5 Standard-HI 200 3.1 0.228 0.0205 8.99
105Industrial Products Charcoal
(Powder)
1 Standard-MID2002.511.240.5915.26
106Industrial Products Activated charcoal
(Particulate,For deodrant use)
5 Standard-MID1206.69.960.1421.43
107Industrial Products Silica gel
(Particulate)
5 Standard-MID2005.211.740.0720.61 Left 23C room temperature for 24 hours.
108Industrial Products Silica gel
(Tablet)
3 Standard-MID2004.78.250.0680.82 Left 23C room temperature for 24 hours.
109Industrial Products Printer toner
(Powder,Black)
5 Standard-MID1001.60.2980.01304.36
110 Plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate Pellet 10 Standard-HI 180 6.8 0.298 0.0045 1.34 Reference:
Average moisture content 0.307%, Repeat-ability 0.0065% and average process time 19.0 mins at 180C with 0.3g by Karl Fischer method. 
111 Plastic ABS Resin 10 Automatic-(0.005%/min) 140 12.1 0.425 0.0093 2.19 Reference:
Average moisture content 0.271%, Repeat-ability 0.0177% and average process time 15.7 mins at 140C with 0.2g by Karl Fischer method. 
112 Plastic Polymethyl-methacrylates 10 Automatic-(0.005%/min) 100 19.4 0.488 0.0150 3.07 Smells strong while heating.
Reference:
Average moisture content 0.301%, Repeat-ability 0.0131% and average process time 30.4 mins at 100C with 0.2g by Karl Fischer method. 
113Electronic parts CPU
(100pin,Plastic QFP,14*20mm)
10 Standard-HI1201.70.0640.00558.59 Left in a thermostatic chamber of 80%RH and at 30C for 48hours.
114 Rubber Ground Tire 5 Standard-MID 200 4.3 22.30 0.080 0.36 Crush finely.
115 Sewage Sewage
(human waste,Liquid)
1 Standard-MID 140 5.7 99.14 0.233 0.24 Smells strong while heating.
Use a grass fiber sheet.
116 Sewage Sewage
(human waste,dehydrated,Paste)
5 Standard-MID 200 16.3 86.64 0.560 0.65 Smells strong while heating.