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Mechanical Balances | Electronic Scales & Balances
Selection Guide for Mechanical and Electronic Scales and Balances PDF 31 kb

Mass determination is possibly the most often used form of measurement in the materials laboratory. Mechanical scales have and continue to serve the industry well. Compared to mechanical, electronic balances offer the advantage of faster and more accurate weighing of larger sample sizes. Although it is generally considered that electronic are more costly than mechanical balances, electronic balances cost less in some weight ranges.

We offer a complete range of both mechanical and electronic scales and balances to meet your material testing laboratory and field testing needs.

This quick-reference table will help you find the scales appropriate to most common material testing needs.

Only the most commonly used scales are listed; other scales may better suit your testing needs.

When selecting a scale, you may wish to consider these four points prior to your selection:

  Do you want mechanical or electronic scales and balances?
  What is the maximum amount you wish to weigh? Increased weighing capacity does not necessarily mean an increase in price.
 

What is the desired readability and precision of the scale? Typically, the more accurate or precise the scale is, the costlier it is. The most expensive scales have high capacity with very low readability.

  ASTM D 4753 and AASHTO M-231 address specifications and requirements for scales and balances.