Shrinkage Limit Set
Product Code : LSK-SM-10652
Shrinkage Limit Set (SKU LSK-SM-10652) is used to find the shrinkage limit of soil, the maximum water content at which further drying no longer causes an appreciable fall in volume. From the same readings students calculate shrinkage ratio, shrinkage index and volumetric shrinkage. It serves soil mechanics practicals in engineering colleges, polytechnics and TVET institutes. Science Lab Supplies sends it out from Ambala, India to institutes, colleges, tender contractors and distributors that request a quotation.
Specifications
The parts of this soil shrinkage kit are set out one per row below. In summary, a shrinkage dish forms the soil pat, a porcelain evaporating dish is used for mixing, and a glass cup with two acrylic plates, one carrying three metal prongs, measures the dried pat by displacement, read on a 25 ml glass cylinder.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | LSK-SM-10652 |
| Shrinkage dish | 1 |
| Flexible spatula | 1 |
| Glass cup | 1 |
| Pronged plate | Acrylic plate with three metal prongs |
| Plain plate | Acrylic plate |
| Evaporating dish | Porcelain |
| Measuring cylinder | Glass, 25 ml |
| Cylinder graduation | 0.5 ml |
| Mercury | Not included |
| Optional accessory | Mercury in a 500 g bottle |
| Results | Shrinkage limit, shrinkage ratio, shrinkage index, volumetric shrinkage |
| Supplied by | Science Lab Supplies, Ambala, India |
Applications and Experiments for the Shrinkage Limit Set
The set determines the shrinkage limit of fine-grained soils and the related shrinkage factors used to judge how much a clay will shrink and swell with changing moisture. It belongs to the Atterberg limits practicals in soil mechanics courses for degree, diploma and TVET civil engineering students.
- B.E./B.Tech civil engineering: shrinkage limit and shrinkage ratio of clay, with the dried pat cooled in a Glass Desiccator before weighing.
- Diploma civil engineering: completing the Atterberg limits alongside liquid and plastic limits, weighing pats on a Triple Beam Balance 610g.
- TVET civil engineering technician modules: recognising shrink-swell soils for foundations and roads.
The displacement method traditionally uses mercury, which is toxic. Handle it only in a ventilated lab under teacher supervision, over a spill tray, and follow your institution's mercury safety rules.
Standard Scope of Supply
One each of shrinkage dish, flexible spatula, glass cup, acrylic plate with three metal prongs, plain acrylic plate, porcelain evaporating dish and 25 ml x 0.5 ml glass cylinder. The set is supplied without mercury; mercury in a 500 g bottle is offered as an optional accessory.
Packing, MOQ and Lead Time
Whether you need one set or one for every student group, the quotation lists packing, delivery time and price for that quantity. Liquid and plastic limit equipment and a drying oven can be quoted with it as vocational training equipment for a complete soil bench.
Science Lab Supplies is a registered exporter holding an Importer-Exporter Code and can ship to buyers in Tanzania, Uganda, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Philippines. Science Lab Supplies is registered for GST (GSTIN 06ADEPJ0574F2ZU). Say whether the optional mercury bottle is wanted when you write on the contact page, or add the set to the enquiry cart; formal purchases can be routed via the lab tender page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mercury supplied with the Shrinkage Limit Set?
No. The set is supplied without mercury. It can be ordered as an optional accessory in a 500 g bottle; because mercury is toxic, use it only under supervision.
What is the shrinkage limit?
It is the maximum water content at which a further reduction in water does not cause an appreciable reduction in soil volume. Below it, air enters the voids and the volume stays constant.
What else can be calculated with this set?
Besides the shrinkage limit, the readings give the shrinkage ratio, shrinkage index and volumetric shrinkage of the soil, using the pat volume measured with the glass cup, pronged plate and 25 ml cylinder.
Who supplies the Shrinkage Limit Set?
It is supplied by Science Lab Supplies, a TVET lab equipment supplier operating from Ambala, India. One document from its team can quote this set together with the liquid and plastic limit apparatus for the same bench.
Related Atterberg Limit and Swell Testing Equipment
Shrinkage results are read together with the other consistency limits and with swell tests on the same clay. These Soil Mechanics and glassware items complete that set of practicals, supply spares, or dry the pats, and they can be added to the same quotation.
- Hand Operated Casagrande Equipment — hand-turned liquid limit cup supplied with a Casagrande grooving tool.
- Cone Penetrometer — alternative liquid limit test using a cone under a 148 g sliding weight.
- Plastic Limit Set — 20 x 15 cm glass plate with ground ends for rolling 3 mm soil threads.
- Prong Plate — rust-resistant acrylic prong plate listed with a shrinkage dish and crystallising dish.
- Soil Volume Change Meter — charts convert readings to a potential volume change (PVC) rating.
- Expansion Index Test Apparatus — swell test of 24 hours or less on a cured sample in a 101.6 mm ring.
- Laboratory Bench Oven — dries soil pats at a set point between 50 and 300 °C.
- Measuring Cylinder 25ml — glass cylinder graduated at 0.25 ml, heat and chemical resistant.
Browse the full Soil Mechanics range, the Lab Glassware range for cylinders and dishes, or all TVET lab equipment.
Last updated: 9 October 2026
