ASTM C690-09

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:C690–03 Designation:C690–09
Standard Test Method for
Particle Size Distribution of Alumina or Quartz Powders by
1
Electrical Sensing Zone Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 690; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 Thistestmethod,oneofseveralfoundvaluableforthemeasurementofparticlesize,coversthedeterminationoftheparticle
size distribution of alumina or quartz powders (0.6 to 56.0 µm) using electrical sensing zone particle size analyzers. These
instrumentsuseanelectriccurrentpathofsmalldimensionswhichismodulatedbyindividualparticlepassagethroughanaperture,
and produces individual pulses of amplitude proportional to the particle volume.
1.2The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Summary of Test Method
2.1 A carefully dispersed, dilute suspension of the powder in a beaker filled with an electrolyte is placed on the instrument
sample stand. The suspension is forced through a restricting aperture. Each particle passing generates an electric pulse that is
recorded on an electronic counter.
2.2 The instrument response is essentially related to particle volume (liquid displacement). Equivalent spherical diameter is
commonlyusedtoexpresstheparticlesize.(Comparisonswithothertechniqueshavebeenfoundtobegoodforsphericalparticles;
for non-spherical particles results may differ.)
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This test method is useful to both sellers and purchasers of alumina and quartz powders for determining particle size
distributions for materials specifications, manufacturing control, and development and research.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Electrical Sensing Zone Particle Counter. Coulter Counter Models MSII, MS IIe, and MS 3
4.2 Aperture Tubes, diameter ranging from approximately 30 to 140 µm. The diameter required is dependent upon the particle
size distribution of the sample. Generally any given tube will cover a particle size range from 2 to 60 % of its aperture diameter.
NOTE 1—In certain cases, apertures up to 280300 µm are usable.
4.3 Sample Beaker, capable of maintaining all particles uniformly in suspension (for example, round-bottom).
4.4 Blender, capacity 1-L glass container. A means to control speed is required.
4.5 Beakers, 100, 500, and 1000-mL.
4.6 Pipet.
4.7 Wash Bottles.
4.8 Membrane Filtering Device, rated at 0.45-µm filters or finer.
5. Reagents
5.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all
reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C21.07C21.04 on Nonplastics. Raw Materials.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2003.Feb. 15, 2009. Published November 2003.February 2009. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as
´1
C690–86(1997) .C 690 – 03.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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C690–09
2
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently high
purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
5.2 Dispersing Media—Ten percent solution of purified or reagent grade sodium hexametaphosphate in distilled water twice
filtered through the membrane filtering device.
NOTE 2—Deionized water may be substituted for distilled water.
NOTE 3—This liquid should not be retained longer than 1 month and should not be pH modified or heated.
5.3 Electrolyte—Dissolve 10.0 g of reagent grade sodium chloride (NaCl) in
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:C690–03 Designation:C690–09
Standard Test Method for
Particle Size Distribution of Alumina or Quartz Powders by
1
Electrical Sensing Zone Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 690; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 Thistestmethod,oneofseveralfoundvaluableforthemeasurementofparticlesize,coversthedeterminationoftheparticle
size distribution of alumina or quartz powders (0.6 to 56.0 µm) using electrical sensing zone particle size analyzers. These
instrumentsuseanelectriccurrentpathofsmalldimensionswhichismodulatedbyindividualparticlepassagethroughanaperture,
and produces individual pulses of amplitude proportional to the particle volume.
1.2The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Summary of Test Method
2.1 A carefully dispersed, dilute suspension of the powder in a beaker filled with an electrolyte is placed on the instrument
sample stand. The suspension is forced through a restricting aperture. Each particle passing generates an electric pulse that is
recorded on an electronic counter.
2.2 The instrument response is essentially related to particle volume (liquid displacement). Equivalent spherical diameter is
commonlyusedtoexpresstheparticlesize.(Comparisonswithothertechniqueshavebeenfoundtobegoodforsphericalparticles;
for non-spherical particles results may differ.)
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This test method is useful to both sellers and purchasers of alumina and quartz powders for determining particle size
distributions for materials specifications, manufacturing control, and development and research.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Electrical Sensing Zone Particle Counter. Coulter Counter Models MSII, MS IIe, and MS 3
4.2 Aperture Tubes, diameter ranging from approximately 30 to 140 µm. The diameter required is dependent upon the particle
size distribution of the sample. Generally any given tube will cover a particle size range from 2 to 60 % of its aperture diameter.
NOTE 1—In certain cases, apertures up to 280300 µm are usable.
4.3 Sample Beaker, capable of maintaining all particles uniformly in suspension (for example, round-bottom).
4.4 Blender, capacity 1-L glass container. A means to control speed is required.
4.5 Beakers, 100, 500, and 1000-mL.
4.6 Pipet.
4.7 Wash Bottles.
4.8 Membrane Filtering Device, rated at 0.45-µm filters or finer.
5. Reagents
5.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all
reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC21onCeramicWhitewaresandRelatedProductsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeC21.07
C21.04 on Nonplastics. Raw Materials.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2003.Feb. 15, 2009. Published November 2003.February 2009. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as
´1
C690–86(1997) .C 690 – 03.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C690–09
2
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently high
purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
5.2 Dispersing Media—Ten percent solution of purified or reagent grade sodium hexametaphosphate in distilled water twice
filtered through the membrane filtering device.
NOTE 2—Deionized water may be substituted for distilled water.
NOTE 3—This liquid should not be retained longer than 1 month and should not be pH modified or heated.
5.3 Electrolyte—Dissolve 10.0 g of reagent grade sodium chloride (NaCl) in 1000 mLof distilled wat
...