It is used for determination of fineness of cements, pozzolanas and other powdery materials in terms of specific surface, which is expressed as total surface area in square centimeters per gram of the material under test.

The apparatus comprises the following :-
Standard permeability cell made of brass,12.5 mm inside dia with one perforated metal disc and one plunger.

A U-Tube glass manometer with rubber coupling for permeability cell, mounted on a steel stand.
Latex rubber tubing, 30 cm long along with suction bulb.
10 filter paper discs, No. 40 whatman.
250 ml Dibutylphthalate liquid.