ASTM B527-93(1997)

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Designation: B 527 – 93 (Reapproved 1997)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Tap Density of Metallic Powders and
Compounds
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 527; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
TABLE 1 Accuracy and Capacity of Balance
1. Scope
3 3
Cylinder Capacity, cm Apparent Density, g/cm Mass of Test Portion, g
1.1 This test method specifies a method for the determina-
100 >1 100 6 0.5
tion of tap density (packed density) of metallic powders and
100 <1 50 6 0.2
compounds, that is, the density of a powder that has been
25 >7 100 6 0.5
tapped, to settle contents, in a container under specified
25 2to7 50 6 0.2
25 <2 20 6 0.1
conditions.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3
cm at 20°C, the height of the graduated portion being
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
approximately 175 mm. The graduations shall be at 1 cm
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
intervals, thus allowing a measuring accuracy of 6 0.5 cm .
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3 3
For apparent densities over 4.0 g/cm , do not use the 100 cm
cylinder.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2.1 Alternatively, the following may be used:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2.1.1 Graduated Glass Cylinder, calibrated to contain 25
B 212 Test Method for Apparent Density of Free-Flowing
cm at 20°C, the height of the graduated portion being
Metal Powders
approximately 135 mm. The graduations shall be at 0.2 cm
B 215 Practice for Sampling Finished Lots of Metal Pow-
intervals.
ders
4.2.1.2 A 25-cm cylinder shall be used for powders of
B 243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
apparent density higher than 4 g/cm , in particular for refrac-
B 329 Test Method for Apparent Density of Powders of
tory metal powders, but may also be used for powder of lower
Refractory Metals and Compounds by Scott Volumeter
apparent density.
B 417 Test Method for Apparent Density of Non-Free-
4.3 Tapping Apparatus, which permits the tapping of the
Flowing Metal Powders
graduated cylinder against a firm base. The tapping shall be
B 703 Test Method for Apparent Density of Metal Powders
such that a densification of the powder can take place without
Using the Arnold Meter
any loosening of its surface layers. The stroke shall be 3 mm
(0.118 in.) and the tapping frequency shall be between 100 and
3. Significance and Use
300 taps/min. An example of a tapping apparatus is shown in
3.1 This test method covers the evaluation of the tapped
Fig. 1.
density physical characteristic of metallic powders and com-
pounds. The degree of correlation between the results of this
5. Test Specimen
test method and the quality of powders in use will vary with
5.1 For the quantities of powder required for each test, see
each particular application and has not been fully determined.
Table 1. Obtain test powder samples according to Practices
B 215.
4. Apparatus
5.2 In general, the powder should be tested in the as-
4.1 Balance, of appropriate capacity an accuracy to satisfy
received condition. In certain instances the powder may be
the requirements shown in Table 1.
dried. However, if the powder is susceptible to oxidation, the
4.2 Graduated Glass Cylinder, calibrated to contain 100
drying shall take place in a vacuum or in inert gas. If the
powder contains volatile substances, it shall not be dried.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B-9 on Metal
Powders and Metal Powder Productsand is the direct responsibility of Subcomm
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