The Importance of Knowing the Angle of Repose

Many believe the task of moving materials to be a simple one: put items in a container and send it off to the destination. However, that kind of oversimplification can have negative repercussions that cost your business time and money. Particularly when looking for a supplier of conveyor components in Lubbock, TX, it’s important to consider the angle of repose of the granular materials your enterprise specializes in.

What is the angle of repose?

When piled on a flat surface, dry bulk solids will naturally rest without slumping at a certain angle to the horizontal surface, called the angle of repose or slip angle. This angle varies greatly among the different types of granular materials. As such, numerous factors contribute to determining the angle of repose:

• Size of individual pieces: The size of corn kernels differs greatly from that of individual oats. Material with small pieces will have a smaller angle of repose and will more easily fill any container it’s placed in.
• Friction between individual pieces: Rough materials move slower, whereas smoother ones are much faster. Product moving at a steady pace up a 10-degree angle will be much more stable than if the material was moving quickly up a more angled slope.
• Material density: Heavier individual pieces create more friction and lead to a more stable pile. This also impacts how quickly granular materials move.
• Conveyor: Both the speed and angle of the conveyor will impact the angle of repose. That is why you should be well informed when purchasing new conveyor components in Lubbock, TX.

Angles of repose for commodities

For those who farm and harvest various grains, the angles of repose are fairly standard. While there are always factors that can affect this measurement, these approximate measurements should help you best understand what you need for your conveyors:

• Corn: 21.5 to 23 degrees
• Soybeans: 25 degrees
• Wheat: 25 degrees
• Oats: 28 degrees

Material storage dangers

Not knowing the angle of repose for the materials you handle can have financial ramifications for your business. Additionally, not having this information poses potential safety hazards for you and your employees. That is the reason OSHA created Grain Handling Standard 1910.272. Before entering grain storage structures, workers should ascertain the angle of repose to avoid entrapment or engulfment issues.

Investing in the best conveyor components in Lubbock, TX

There are plenty of options available for buying conveyors and their necessary components in and around Lubbock, TX. A quick Google search will yield numerous results. As a business owner or manager, it’s up to you to select the right company to partner with on all things related to your material conveyors.

For over seven decades, M.B. McKee Company, Inc. has provided excellent products and services to customers throughout Texas. Stocking the largest inventory of parts and supplies, people trust M.B. McKee Company, Inc. to provide them with everything required for their commercial machinery to operate effectively. Contact us now to discuss how we can help you improve business practices and efficiency to save you time and money.

Categorised in: Conveyor Components

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