The Mortar Mixer
A mortar mixer is an essential piece of equipment found in construction sites, classrooms and research labs. It is used to consistently combine materials, whether they be powders, solids or liquids, to create a paste-like consistency. The mortar is then used for sealing, gluing, and other binding applications. The most common types of tools used for this purpose are planetary mixers, ribbon mixers, and paddle mixers.
Planetary mixers are the most widely used type, as they are versatile and durable. These machines are composed of two or more arms that continuously rotate around a central axis, allowing for uniform mixing of materials. Ribbons or blades rotate around the circumference of the cylinder and create a spiral mixing pattern that churns, kneads and breaks down material for thorough mixing. In addition to creating a homogenous mixture, these mixers help to break down larger particles, disperse colorants and emulsifiers, and hydrate solids.
Ribbon mixers are a variation on the planetary mixer which incorporates two or more helically wound metal ribbons that move around a shallow open-sided cylinder while in operation. These metal blades similarly churn, knead and break down material, but due to the difference in position of the drive mechanism, there is more area of the vessel exposed to the mixing zone. This allows for a larger batch size, reduced mixing times and greater efficiency when it comes to hydration.
Paddle mixers, also referred to as double arm mixers, are unique in design compared to the two above. Rather than using blades or ribbons to mix material, two-bladed paddles are attached to a central shaft that are rotated and oscillated for complete and even mixing. The open-sided vessel allows for greater accessibility so that the material can be directly inserted, discharged, and sampled. Additionally, paddle mixers are well suited for low-shear applications, so delicate materials and composites remain intact during processing.
When choosing a mixer for a particular application, one should consider the type of mortar being used, the quantity being processed, and the final consistency desired. Planetary and ribbon mixers are appropriate for small to large scale batch sizes of dry or paste-like materials, while paddle mixers are better suited for larger batch sizes of light or fragile materials. By choosing the correct mixer, one can be sure that their mortar mix is consistent, thorough, and perfectly suited for the application.
