CAD Instruments 2026

POUR POUDRES

Mesure du potentiel zêta pour particules, membranes et fibres. Tensiomètre pour l'analyse de tension de surface des liquides, Rhéomètre optique, mesure de taille et forme de particules, Analyseur BET..
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POUR CIMENTS

Caractérisation des ciments, mortiers et bétons. Malaxeur pour mortier, Rhéomètre mortier et bétons, Slump test, Kit Microbar, Insert pour essais, rétractomètre, Mesure de conductivité électrique pour mortier et pates pures..Plus...

FORMATION

Formation théorique et pratique pour l'analyse des poudres, matériaux poreux. Maintenance des produits CAD Instruments et autres appareils similaires même ancienne générationPlus...

cad instruments For you during 32 years and more.....

1991: CAD Instrumentation SARL was founded
1992: Zetaphoremeter II developed in partnership with Caen University of Pharmacy1995: CAD develops the standard mixer Mlx40 with Lafarge Cement Group1997: CAD Instruments develops a mortar rheometer RheoCAD 200 and multiplexed conductimeter MultiCAD 1999: Introduction of a Streaming potential apparatus ZetaCAD 2003: ZetaCompact introduction 2007: New Tensiometer TensioCAD 2008: MultiCAD-V2 Flexible multiplexed conductivity meter 2009 – 2013: Conception of a rheo-optical device RheOptiCAD, developed in collaboration with AgroParisTech-INRA 2014: a zetameter/granulometer NanoCAD 2018-2023: Needed New Design 2024: New project "PHENIX" in perspective with university and industrial collaboration

- Department "Powder analysis" : Zetameters for zeta potential analysis, tensiometers for surface and interfacial tension, contact angle, Optical rheometer- Department "Cement analysis": Standardized Mixer, Rheometer, Shrinkage, Electrical conductivity, Chloride ions permeability, Slab curling study

ZetaCAD- potentiel zeta

Zeta potential meter ZetaCAD
Surface and large particles zetametry using streaming potential or streaming current

Overview - Principle
ZetaCAD has been specially designed to automatically measure the Zeta Potential by the technique of streaming potential/current measurement. An electrolyte is forced to pass through a capillary or a porous plug by a pressure gradient.The excess charges around the particles or wall are carried along by the liquid. Their accumulation down stream causes the build-up of an electric field which drives an electric current back (by ionic conduction through the liquid) against the direction of the liquid flow. A steady state is quickly established and the measured potential across the capillary is called the streaming potential.Specifications
This technique concerns mainly samples having large particles (> 50 µm) or surfaces able to be retain in the cell, or surfacic membranes or hollow fibers samples, where the electrolyte can pass through under a pressure gradient. ZetaCAD gets the followings characteristics:
Differential pressure - 500 to + 500 mbar
Streaming potential -2 400 to +2 400 mV
Streaming current - 240 to + 240 µA
Conductivity 0 to 20 mScm -1
pH 2 to 12
Reliable and simple to setup
Measurement and rinsing of the system are fully automated
Menu driven software Windows based
Data acquisition, treatment and export available with Excel
Applications
Powders- RO Membranes- Hollow fibers- Textile fabrics, fibers- Geology-Minerals- Glass -Polymers -HairWebpage in French version

Zetameter Zetacompact

Zeta Potential using the technique of micro-electrophoresis

Description - Principle
ZetaCompact is a zetameter based on the micro-electrophoresis, i.e. coupling direct observation (microscopy) and particles motion under an applied electric field (electrophoresis). Illumination of the measuring cell is done by a laser sheet or Single Plane Illumination Microscopy generated by the combination of lenses and a laser. This technique allows an observation in a single vertical plane.To determine Zeta Potential, this plane must correspond to the stationary layer which is accurately located and controlled. Particles motion is recorded with a high sensitivity digital camera.Electrophoretic mobilities distribution is thus measured using a novel tracking algorithm optimized to follow up to 5 000 tracks/sequence. Based on digital images correlation, this algorithm offers a more accurate and sensitive determination of Zeta Potential, either in dilute or semi-diluted systems.

Specifications
ZetaCompact measures in live the following parameters, relevant in the determination of Zeta Potential:
Electrophoretic mobility: - 15 to +15 µms-1 /Vcm -1
Applied electric field: 0 to 250 V
Conductivity: 0,01 to 100 mScm -1
Particles size range: 0 to 30 µm
Concentration: 1 to 10 000 ppm
pH: 2 to 12

Applications
Numerous applications of ZetaCompact end-users concern mainly the following activities:
Suspensions-Emulsions-Bacteria-Proteins-Nanoparticles

Particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) is a velocimetry method to determine the velocity of particles suspended in a liquid. With over 20 years of experience in PTV, CAD Instruments implemented a new algorithm based on digital image correlation to improve zetameters accuracy.

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Surface & interfacial tension analyzer

New tensiometer TensioCADWilhelmy plate and Du Noüy ring tensiometer
Surface tension measurement - Interfacial tension measurement - Contact angle measurement - Density measurement - Powder wettability analysisAdvancing and receding angle - CMC (Critical Micellar Concentration)Automatic TensioCAD-V2Overview - Principle
TensioCAD is a tensiometer based on the principle of measuring a force against a displacement. This method, often called force tensiometry or Wilhelmy method, consists in diving a platinium plate of perimeter L in a liquid having a superficial tension σ. Platinium plate is then lift and, with the help of a balance, the capillary force F exerted on the plate is measured.Equiped with a high precision weighing cell and coupled to a user-friendly and full software, TensioCAD is a tensiometer which helps you in numerous type of applications and measurements. TensioCAD offers 3 types of measurements: Wilhelmy plate, Du Noüy ring or Washburn method.Specifications
Weight: 0,001 à 120 g
Weight sensitivity: 0,0001 g
Surface Tension: 1 à 1 000 mN.m-1
Surface tension accuracy: 0.01 mN.m-1
Temperature (optional): 5 à 60 °CApplications
Surfactants properties
Powder wettability
Fibers (individual or not), membranes wettability
Capillary rising
Ascending and receding contact angle
Liquid density
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Optical rheometer

RHEOPTICAD: A THERMO-MECHANICAL RHEO-OPTICAL DEVICEDeveloped in collaboration between AgroParisTech, INRA and CAD Instruments, RheOptiCAD® is high standard device for imaging complex systems, from liquids to solids, under thermo-mechanical treatments. Uniaxial shear is performed by translation of two parallel plates and temperature is controlled using a Peltier module coupled to a water cooling system.
RheOptiCAD® is adaptable to all optical or confocal inverted microscopes, and presents a simple, fast and reproducible way of sampling, not depending on commercial microscopy glasses. Large gap range for an easy and adaptable sampling
> Perfect planarity and parallelism of shearing plates
> Suction system for microscopy glasses hold
> Observation based on ZVP principle
> Motion: linear, strain jump or oscillation
> Electric torque measurement for force estimation
> Controlled heating and cooling rate with Peltier system
> Computer controlled through Ethernet plug
> Data recording Designed for commercial microscopy glass
> Thermo-mechanical characteristics similar to rheological devices
Contact us for more specs!

Surface area BET Analyzer

Analyzer to measure surface area BETFORS-BET4 is a static volumetric high speed automatic surface area analyzer, which may give accurate results with special design against the sample surface area as low as 0.2 m2/g and satisfied the special QC request from lithium battery materials. The system owned four independent analysis ports which can work simultaneously, and can be extended up to seven ports if request. FORS-BET4 is a physisorption analyzer with excellent accuracy and stability with four port standard configuration. Such features make this system to suitable for rapid sample screening and quality control. This surface area analyzer is used for: - BET /Langmuir
- adsorption/Desorption Isotherm
- BJH
- Total pore Volume
- Average pore size
- t-plot
- MP
- DR
Contact us for more details...Link to ForS Instruments website

Nanoparticle size analyzer

Analyze nanoparticles sizeThis new instrument is used for particle size distribution analysis for nanoparticles. Possible to analyze particles from 1 nmIn option:- zeta potential analysis- Molecular weight analysis

Gas Pycnometer

Density measurementMeasure principle: using inert gas (Helium) to measure the closest real volume, and calculate the density.Calculation principle: Boyle-Mariotte law.Dual-chamber ：Dual-chamber is offered in the standard configuration for measure two samples at the same time.
Original touch screen control: as original design, the touch screen control system makes test process simply and conveniently. Operating, results reading, data backup are integrated in the only device.
Controllable test process: key-steps, as pumping speed and warm up time, are controllable for sensitive sample.

Particle size analyzer

Granulomètre ZEPHYR pour la mesure de taille de particules de 7 microns à 30 mmAlternative aux granulomètres laser et mesure par tamisage- Corrélation laser et tamisage- Mesure de taille de particule- Analyse de forme de particules- Analyse en voie sèche et liquide de 7 à 30000 microns - Technologie par analyse d'images pour les mesures de taille et forme de particules

Particle counter

Particle counting with OCCHIO FC200. Particle counting, particle size and shape with wet methodSuspension and emulsion particle size and shape characterization
- Particle Size
- Particle shape
- Particle counting
- For wet applications from 0.2 to 1000µm
How it works
The sample is prepared in an external beaker, sample tube or directly from pipetting tip into the cell. The suspension flow is generated by a precision syringe, particles pass through the cell while the camera captures the images. In a few times, thousands of particles are analyzed and data is displayed, including particles counting.

Mortar mixer for laboratory

Standardized mixer for cement pastes and mortars

Overview - Principle
Mlx40-D, a standardized mixer according to norm EN196, is dedicated to the mixing of cement pastes and mortars. Mixer Mlx40-D works due to an impeller fixed to an adjustable planetary rotating part. A hopper is present for controlled and normalized sand or powder adding and provides an easy preparation of the mix. Mlx40-D is provided with a certification document.
Specifications
The adjustable planetary part gives the possbility to mix different volumes of samples.
Sample volume : 0.25 to 5 L
Impeller speed : 140 ± 5 rpm and 280 ± 10 rpm
Planetary rotating part : 62 ± 5 rpm and 125 ± 10 rpm
The embedded software can store the various programs of mixing for each application
10 programs can be stored in memory
Hopper for automatic addition
Contact us!
Other products: Rheometer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Slump test - Retractometer - Electrical conductivity for mortar and concrete - Interstitial liquid extraction - Studs

RHEOCAD 500

RHEOMETER FOR MORTAR AND CONCRETE
It is well accepted that concretes having the same Slump test can show a large variation of viscosity. Complete characterization of complex fluids can be achieved with the new RheoCAD thanks to a mechanical computer-controlled device and calibration to obtain stress and strain rate with absolute units. The RheoCAD 500 offers the best performances of sensitivity with a wide shear rate range for measurement of a broad variety of fluid and slurries.The RheoCAD500 measures torque versus speed with multiple programming possibilities to obtain the best rheograms.
A drive unit control system can be programmed for your particular application. A high performance rheometer for mortar and concrete characterization
Overview - Principle
"Big brother" of RheoCAD420, the new rheometer RheoCAD500 is a rheometer developed specifically for building materials characterization, such as cement, mortar and fresh concrete. Its principle is based on the measurement of the torque developed in response to the controlled rotation of a measuring device in a bowl. It measures torque vs.speed with multiple programming possibilities to obtain the best rheograms
PrincipleEasy programming
Linear Scale
Logarithmic scale
Manual, Quick or Expert protocols
Rheological models (Bingham, Herschel Buckley...)
Direct data transfer to Excel®RheoCAD500 offers the largest dynamic range with 5 décades (5 order of magnitude) from 0.001 rpm to 250 rpm with 0.0001 N.m to 10Nm torque. It is now possible to accurately study thixotropy or concrete restructuration phenomena. With such sensitivity RheoCAD500 can be used for many others complex fluids where high torque is needed: Concentrated suspensions, slurries, heavy paste material (from food industry), ferrofluids or magneto fluids for example.
Specifications
Measuring device rotating speed: 0 - 250 rpm
Torquemeter: 0 - 10 N.m
Torquemeter sensitivity: 0.0001 N.m
Sample volume: 11 - 37 L
Temperature: 0 - 60°C
Dimensions: 600 x 700 x 1200 mm
Weight: 95 kg
A high sensitivity torque meter is used with a dynamic range 0.0001 à 10 N.m.
Custom-made bowls and impellers upon request.
A drive unit control system can be programmed for your particular application.
The anchor speed is regulated from 0.001 rpm to 250 rpm.
Complete control of the unit via lab computer using USB interface.
User-friendly menu driven software offers automation and data acquisition capabilities and absolute units according to Couette analogy method.
RheoCAD500 offers the best performances of sensitivity with a wide shear rate range for measurement of a broad variety of fluid and slurries
Applications
Rheological properties of cement, mortars and concrete
Rheology of fresh concrete
Rheology of Self Compacting Concrete
Restructuration, thixotropy study
Characterization of admixtures, fillers and formulation of concrete
Contact us!Other products: Lab Mixer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Slump test - Retractometer - Electrical conductivity for mortar and concrete - Interstitial liquid extraction - Studs

MicroBAR TEST

Complete MICROBAR TestMicroBAR Test is a normalized test according to norm AFNOR P 18-588 which evaluates the reactivity of concrete in front of alkali-aggregate reactions. Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) or more common Alkali-Silica reaction (ASR) covers the determination of the susceptibility of aggregate containing silica, in combination with cement, to expansive reactions involving the alkali compounds (Sodium and Potassium) by measuring the variation in length of microbar (1 x 1 x 4 cm) prisms. Reliable and relevant information relative to this reactivity can be pointed out from the length variation of mortar or concrete microbars. MicroBAR Test has done its proof: easy and clear classification of sand and aggregates after 5 days test.Description - Kit Composition
The test uses micro-bar 1 x 1 x 4 cm which are successively submitted to a humid cure with a stream bath, then an alkali cure in KOH 10% and 150°C. Dimensional variations of microbars are followed for 3 different A/C (aggregates to cement) ratio. Kit MicroBAR includes the essential elements (glassware excluded) to perform the test, i.e.:
1 digital retractometer
3 PTFE baskets for humid cure
3 molds for microbars 1 x 1 x 4 cm
1 basket holder for 4 L round-bottom flask
1 top cover 1 set of 1 000 studs
3 stainless steel mini-reactorsOther products:Lab Mixer for mortar and concrete - Rheometer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Slump test - Retractometer - Electrical conductivity for mortar and concrete - Interstitial liquid extraction - Studs

MiniSlump

Workability measurement of concrete, mortar and cement

CAD Instruments offers 2 lab devices for studying the workability of cement pastes, mortars and fresh concrete: MiniSlump MBE450 or MiniSlump MSP. These tests are carried out using molds with conical shapes made of stainless steel or nickel coated steel for better resistance.his method gives information concerning the formulation of a concrete or on the research and innovation potentialities of rheological understanding of samples. MiniSlump test should be complementary with a more advanced rheological study performed with rheometers (RheoCAD500). Nevertheless, it is a simple, fast and cheap method to carry out tests for workability and consistency of building materials.
Specifications
Surface measurement is Corian™ manufactured, a hard and non-absorbent surface required for the test but also ensuring perfect planarity.
Stainless steel cone perfectly designedy.
Integrated rule for measurement of spreading

MiniSlump MBE450
Manual system for lifting
MiniSlump MSP
To improve repeatability of the measurement, CAD Instruments has developed MiniSlump MSP where the cone is lifted at constant speed by a pneumatically driven table.Other products:Lab Mixer for mortar and concrete - Rheometer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Retractometer - Electrical conductivity for mortar and concrete - Interstitial liquid extraction - Studs

Retractometer CAD

Retractometer RE101040 - RE4416
Shrinkage measurement of concrete and mortar normalized prisms

Description - Principle
Concrete drying shrinkage can be measured in laboratory. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) 302 Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction recommends following ASTM C157 “Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement". In this way, CAD Instruments developed and offers 2 devices for measuring the length variation of concrete or mortar prism along drying time. These 2 instruments, called retractometer RE101040 and RE4416, are robust and accurate to control specimens according to ASTM C151, ASTM C490, BS 1881, EN 1367-4, EN 12617-4, NF P15-433 and NF P18-427 norms.SpecificationsMeasurement of dimensional variation of mortar or concrete specimens of 160 cm (RE4416) or from 10 to 40 cm (RE101040)
Repeatability: < 0.15 µm
Linearity: 0.5% of full measurement scale

Thermal variation coefficient: < 0.01% of full measurement scale per °C
High precision digital display
RS 232C interface for computer control
Interface RS 232C pour PC
Dimensions: 250 x 250 x 600 mm
Weight: 35 kg

Studs and INVAR calibration bars are also available.Other products:Lab Mixer for mortar and concrete - Rheometer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Slump test - Electrical conductivity for mortar and concrete - Interstitial liquid extraction - Studs

MonoCAD-MultiCAD

Electrical conductivity measurement of cement suspensions and pure pastes

MonoCAD and MultiCAD are 2 instruments dedicated to the measurement of the electrical conductivity of cement suspensions or pure pastes. MonoCAD is a single-station instrument whereas MultiCAD is multi-station one giving the possibility to measure 4 samples conductivity in parallel depending on their parameters. MultiCAD is designed to monitor electrical conductivity of cement suspensions using CEMOT cells or pure pastes PAP cells in parallel. A special cell for mortars is also available. You can have up to 4 positions simultaneously. This electrical conductivity can be measured during setting or hardening.Multi-Run mode for long-period analysis.New model for long period analysis in one cycleApplications
Kinetic of cement paste: hardening, hydration parameters
Reactivity of admixtures or fillers
Study of pure pastes during chemical reaction
Software for measuring electrical conductivity vs.time independently for all samples
Data export to Excel for standard modelSpecial exportation for long period analysisContact us !Other products: Lab Mixer for mortar and concrete - Rheometer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Slump test - Retractometer - Interstitial liquid extraction - Studs

OpiCAD

Concrete pore fluid extraction
Concrete has an intricate pore structure comprising pores and voids. Pore fluid analysis has shown its usefulness for the understanding of concrete durability issues related to:
- alkali binding as it affects alkali–silica reaction (ASR)
- chloride-binding as it affects reinforcement corrosion resistance
- delayed ettringite formation (DEF)
The pore solution of concrete specimen can be extracted by high-pressure squeezing. In this way, CAD Instruments developed a special steel die to achieve extraction on concrete samples, named OpiCAD.Characteristics
Up to 1 000 MPa
Allows extraction of 9 months aged samples
Easy extraction of the piston after useOther products: Lab Mixer for mortar and concrete - Rheometer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Slump test - Electrical conductivity for mortar and concrete - Retractometer - Studs

INSERTS PLOTS DE RETRAIT ESSAI BETON

Studs for mortar or concrete prisms

Description
Studs, Stainless steel or Brass, are used for dimensionnal variations of mortar or concrete standardized prisms: lenghthening due to alkali-reactions (MicroBAR test) or shrinkage due to hardening (Retractometer).There are 4 types of studs, depending on the dimensions of the prisms:
1 x 1 x 4 cm
4 x 4 x 16 cm
7 x 7 x 28 cm
10 x 10 x 40 cmOther products: Lab Mixer for mortar and concrete - Rheometer for mortar and concrete - Microbar Test - Slump test - Electrical conductivity for mortar and concrete - Interstitial liquid extraction - Retractometer