ASTM B213-20

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Designation: B213 − 17 B213 − 20
Standard Test Methods for
Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using the Hall Flowmeter
Funnel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B213; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of a flow rate, by the use of the Hall Flowmeter funnel of metal powders and
powder mixtures. It is suitable only for those powders that will flow unaided through the Hall Flowmeter funnel.
1.2 Units—With the exception of the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram
per cubic centimetre (g/cm ) and gram (g) units is the long-standing industry practice, the values in inch-pound units are to be
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information
only, and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B215 Practices for Sampling Metal Powders
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
B855 Test Method for Volumetric Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using the Arnold Meter and Hall Flowmeter Funnel
B964 Test Methods for Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using the Carney Funnel
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of powder metallurgy terms can be found in Terminology B243.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
), n—the time required for a metal powder sample of specified mass to flow through the orifice in a
3.2.1 Hall flow rate (FR
H
Hall Flowmeter funnel according to a specified procedure.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A weighed mass (50.0 g) (50.0 g) of metal powder is timed as it flows through the orifice of a calibrated Hall Flowmeter
funnel.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The rate and uniformity of die cavity filling are related to flow properties, which thus influence production rates and
uniformity of compacted parts.
ThisThese test method ismethods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products and isare the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee B09.02 on Base Metal Powders.
Current edition approved April 1, 2017April 1, 2020. Published April 2017April 2020. Originally approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 20132017 as
B213 – 13.B213 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/B0213-17.10.1520/B0213-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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B213 − 20
5.2 The ability of a powder to flow is a function of interparticle friction. As interparticle friction increases, flow is slowed. Fine
powders may not flow. Some powders, often fine powders and lubricated powder mixtures, may not flow through the Hall
Flowmeter funnel. Nevertheless, if a larger orifice is provided, such as in the Carney Flowmeter funnel of Test MethodMethods
B964, a meaningful flow rate may be determined, providing specific information for certain applications.
5.3 Test MethodMethods B213, using the Hall Flowmeter funnel, isare the preferred methodmethods for determining the
flowability of metal powders and powder mixtures. The Carney Flowmeter funnel of Method Test Methods B964 should only be
used when powder will not flow through the Hall Flowmeter funnel.
5.4 Humidity and moisture content influence flow rate. Wet or moist powders may not flow.
5.5 These test methods are based on flow of a specified mass of powder. If flow of a specific volume of powder is preferred,
Test Method B855 may be used for powders that flow readily through the Hall Flowmeter funnel.
5.6 This test method may be part of the purchase agreement between powder manufacturers and powder metallurgy (PM) part
producers, or it can be an internal quality control test by either the producer or the end user.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Powder Flowmeter Funnel —A calibrated flowmeter funnel (Fig. 1) having a nominal orifice of 0.10 in. (2.54 mm) in
diameter.
6.1.1 The funnel shall be made of a non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant metallic material having sufficient thickness and hardness
to withstand distortion and excessive wear.
6.2 The dimensions shown for the flowmeter funnel, including the orifice, are not to be considered controlling factors.
Calibration with emery, as specified in Section 9, determines the working flow rate of the funnel.
6.3 Stand —A stand (Fig. 2) to support the powder flowmeter funnel.
6.4 Workbench—A level, vibration free table or workbench to support the powder flowmeter stand.
6.5 Timing Device—A stopwatch or other suitable device capable of measuring to the nearest 0.1 s.0.1 s.
6.6 Chinese Emery —An emery powder used to calibrate the flowmeter funnel.
6.7 Balance—A balance readable to 0.01 g 0.01 g suitable for weighing at least 50.0 g to the nearest 0.1 g.50.0 g.
7. Sampling
7.1 A sample of powder sufficient to run the desired number of flow tests shall be obtained in accordance with PracticePractices
B215.
7.2 Individual test portions, each of approximately the required mass, shall be obtained from the test sample in accordance with
PracticePractices B215.
8. Preparation of Apparatus
8.1 Clean the funnel with clean dry toweling paper.
8.2 Clean the funnel orifice with a clean dry pipe cleaner.
9. Calibration of Apparatus
9.1 The manufacturer supplies the powder flowmeter funnel calibrated as follows:
9.1.1 Heat an open glass jar of Chinese emery in a drying oven at a temperature of 102° to 107 °C (215° to 225 °F) for 1h.102 °C
to 107 °C (215 °F to 225 °F) for 1 h.
9.1.2 Cool the emery to room temperature in a desiccator.
9.1.3 Follow the procedure outlined in steps 10.1.1 – 10.1.8.
9.1.4 Repeat steps 10.1.2 – 10.1.8 using the identical 50.0 g 50.0 g mass of emery for all the tests until 5 flow times, the
extremes of which shall not differ by more than 0.4 s, have been recorded.
NOTE 1—The flow rate of Chinese emery calibration powder is sensitive to moisture. Starting from the dried condition, it will absorb moisture from
the ambient air as five (or more) flow tests are performed. Flow times can vary dependent upon the humidity of the test area.
9.1.5 The average of these five flow times is stamped on the bottom of the funnel. The flow time for a new funnel shall be 40.0
6 0.5 s. The correction factor for the unused flowmeter funnel is 40.0 divided by this number.
The flowmeter funnel, stand, and Chinese emery are available from ACuPowder International, LLC.
B213 − 20
FIG. 1 Hall Flowmeter Funnel
9.2 The flow rate of Chinese emery powder was established by an interlaboratory study conducted by Subcommittee B09.02
in 1995. The value was 40.0. It represents the flow rate through the master flowmeter funnel that had been used in a previous
interlaboratory study with the former Turkish emery calibration powder, which is no longer available.
9.3 It is recommended that the flow rate be checked periodically, at least every six months, using the procedure outlined in steps
9.1.1 – 9.1.5. If the flow rate has changed from that stamped on the instrument, the new correction factor will be 40.0
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