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Density Measurement, Gas Adsorption Measurement, Microtrac Particle Characterization · Gas displacement pycnometry (true / skeletal density)

Microtrac BELPYCNO Gas Pycnometer for True Density

True (skeletal) density of powders and porous solids by gas displacement — helium or nitrogen, 10, 3.5 and 1 cm³ sample cells.

  • Accuracy 0.03% of full scale + 0.03% of reading · repeatability 0.02%
  • Benchtop, 8 kg · the reference value for porosity calculations
  • Installation and on-site training included · free test analysis of your sample
  • Configured to order · lead time from 4 weeks

Request a formal quotation →

Prices follow supplier cost and stock availability and are updated regularly. The price you see is today's price — once you order, it's held for 7 days.
Installation + training included Free test measurement
0.03% density accuracy
0.02% repeatability
3 cell sizes
8 kg bench-top

What your QC lab actually checks

Density you can certify

True density to 0.03% with automatic sphere calibration — the traceable figure your CoA, porosity calculation and lot release depend on, not a rough estimate.

A materials engineer on the line

Cell size, gas choice and purge-cycle setup from engineers who run powder density and porosity analysis in-house at Additive Plus.

0.03% F.S.
Density accuracy
0.02% F.S.
Repeatability
He · N₂
Displacement gas
10·3.5·1 cm³
Cell sizes
8 kg
Bench-top weight
About this product
Price

Quoted to your configuration
The price depends on the sample cells and options you take. You receive a formal quotation on our letterhead with configuration, price, payment terms, lead time and the full specification of the unit: the document your purchasing department asks for. Installation and on-site operator training are included in every quotation. Lead time from 4 weeks, depending on the configuration; the quotation gives the date.
What you configure

  • BELPYCNO benchtop gas pycnometer
  • Sample cells: 10, 3.5 and 1 cm³
  • Measuring gas: helium, or nitrogen or another inert gas
  • Thermostatic bath (option)
  • Installation and on-site operator training — included in every quotation
Next stepRequest a formal quotation

The test analysis of your sample is free: you get the density result and we go through it with you before you decide.
True densitySkeletal volume of the solid, by gas displacement
He or N₂Helium for fine open pores; nitrogen or another inert gas
10 · 3.5 · 1 cm³Three sample cell sizes
0.03%Accuracy: 0.03% of full scale + 0.03% of reading

What the BELPYCNO is

The BELPYCNO is a benchtop gas pycnometer from Microtrac. It measures the volume of a solid sample by gas displacement: gas is let into the cell that holds the sample, and the pressure change shows how much of the cell volume the solid occupies. Helium reaches into very fine open pores, so the volume it measures is the skeletal volume of the solid. Divided into the sample mass from your balance, that volume gives true (skeletal) density — the density of the material itself, without the space between and inside the particles that bulk density includes.

Specifications

Measuring principle Gas displacement pycnometry
Result True (skeletal) density and volume
Measuring gas Helium, nitrogen or another inert gas
Sample cells 10 · 3.5 · 1 cm³
Accuracy 0.03% of full scale + 0.03% of reading
Repeatability 0.02% of full scale
Measuring pressure 145 kPa (gauge); pretreatment purge 0–145 kPa
Temperature range 15–35 °C; 15–50 °C with the optional water bath
Calibration automatic, with a calibration sphere
Interfaces RS232C for printer and balance; 1/8″ Swagelok gas connection
Dimensions (W × H × D) 270 × 170 × 300 mm (10.6 × 6.7 × 11.8 in)
Power AC 100–120 V / 200–240 V, 200 W, 50/60 Hz
Weight 8 kg (18 lb)
Certification CE
Installation and training on site, included in every quotation
Lead time from 4 weeks, depending on configuration

Datasheet: the full manufacturer specification comes with the formal quotation.

What it tells you about a powder or a porous solid

True density is the reference number that other density and porosity figures are calculated from:

True (skeletal) density mass divided by the volume the gas cannot enter
Porosity combined with bulk or envelope density from another method: porosity = 1 − bulk density ÷ true density
Closed pores pores the gas cannot reach count as solid, so a density below the material’s theoretical value points to closed porosity

Which gas, which cell and how much sample suit your material is something the free test analysis settles before you order.

Where the BELPYCNO stops — and what to take instead

The BELPYCNO measures the volume of the solid, not the pores themselves. For pore size distribution and pore volume by mercury intrusion, take the BELPORE. For specific surface area (BET) and micro- and mesopores by gas adsorption, look at the BELSORP MINI X or the BELSORP MAX X. It does not measure bulk or tap density, and pores that are closed to the gas are counted as part of the solid.

In pictures

BELPYCNO gas pycnometer
Bench-top gas-displacement pycnometer with interchangeable sample cells.

Availability, payment and delivery

Built to orderEach instrument is configured with the sample cells and options for your materials. Lead time is from 4 weeks after a confirmed order, depending on the configuration; the quotation states the date in writing.
How you payAsk for a formal quotation on our letterhead and pay against an invoice. We are registered in SAM.gov as a small business, so federal and university purchasing works the usual way.
What arrivesThe BELPYCNO with the sample cells and options you ordered. Installation and on-site operator training are included in every quotation and carried out by Microtrac’s US service engineers.

Why buy it through Additive Plus

Authorized Microtrac resellerQuotation, order and delivery handled by one team in California
Installation and training includedSet up on site and your team trained on true-density measurement — part of every quotation
Free test analysisSend a sample and decide with the result in hand

What usually stops people — and the honest answer

“Helium or nitrogen?”Helium is the usual choice because it reaches the finest open pores. Nitrogen or another inert gas is an option. Which suits your material is a question the free test analysis answers.
“We have very little sample.”Small samples go in the 1 cm³ cell; larger amounts of powder in the 3.5 or 10 cm³ cell. Tell us your typical sample amount and the quotation lists the cells that fit.
“Do we also need a BET or porosimetry instrument?”Not unless you need surface area or pore size. A pycnometer gives true density; gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry describe the pores. Many questions about porosity need the true density first.

Ready when you are

Brand Microtrac
Technology Gas displacement pycnometry (true / skeletal density)
Certification CE
Weight 18 lb / 8 kg
Want data before you commit?

Send us a representative sample. The test measurement in Microtrac's US application lab is free, and we go through the results with you.

Common questions

Don't see yours? Email [email protected] — NDA standard, typical reply within 4 hours.

What does the BELPYCNO measure — true density or bulk density?
True (skeletal) density: the density of the solid material without the space between particles and without the open pores the gas can enter. It does not measure bulk or tap density. The BELPYCNO measures the sample volume by gas displacement, and with the sample mass from your balance gives the true density.
How accurate and repeatable is the BELPYCNO?
Microtrac specifies an accuracy of 0.03% of full scale plus 0.03% of reading and a repeatability of 0.02% of full scale. The formal quotation includes the full specification of the unit you order.
Which gases can it use — does it have to be helium?
Helium is the usual choice because its small atoms reach the finest open pores. The BELPYCNO also works with nitrogen or another inert gas. You need a supply of the measuring gas in the lab.
What sample cells are available?
Three cell sizes: 10, 3.5 and 1 cm³. Small samples go in the 1 cm³ cell, larger powder amounts in the 3.5 or 10 cm³ cell. The quotation lists the cells for your typical sample amount.
Does the sample need preparation?
The sample should be dry: adsorbed moisture or solvent changes the measured volume and mass. What preparation your material needs is checked during the free test analysis.
How is true density used to calculate porosity?
Porosity is the share of a bulk or shaped volume that is not solid. With the true density from the pycnometer and a bulk or envelope density from another method, porosity = 1 − bulk density ÷ true density. Pores closed to the gas count as solid, so a true density below the material's theoretical value points to closed porosity.
How much does a BELPYCNO cost?
The price depends on the configuration — sample cells and options. Request a formal quotation and you receive configuration, price, payment terms and lead time on our letterhead. Installation and on-site operator training are included in every quotation.
Can I test my sample before buying?
Yes, and the test analysis is free. Send a representative sample; it is measured in Microtrac's US application lab and you receive the result, which we go through with you before you decide.
What is the lead time, and who installs the BELPYCNO?
The BELPYCNO is configured to order. Lead time is from 4 weeks after a confirmed order, depending on the configuration, and the formal quotation states the date. Installation and on-site operator training by Microtrac's US service engineers are included in every quotation.

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Order Microtrac BELPYCNO Gas Pycnometer for True Density direct, or talk to materials engineer

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