ASTM E1260-03

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:E1260–03
Standard Test Method for
Determining Liquid Drop Size Characteristics in a Spray
1
Using Optical Nonimaging Light-Scattering Instruments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1260; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This standard is one of several describing a different class of test methods for determining liquid
drop size characteristics in a spray. These test methods can be broadly distinguished as “optical” or“
non-optical.” In the optical category there are test methods that essentially make images (such as
photographs) of drops that can be measured either manually or automatically, and test methods that
do not make images but use optical phenomena exhibited by single drops or ensembles of drops which
can be recorded and used to calculate either individual drop sizes or the distribution of drop sizes in
anensemble.Thistestmethoddealswiththelatterclass,andhence,isdescribedas“nonimaging.”The
various optical phenomena involved are commonly described as “light-scattering.” Using any of these
test methods, the spray is observed for a period of time during which a large number of drops is
examined, and the data are treated so as to derive drop-size statistics for the sample investigated.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 The purpose of this test method is to obtain data which
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
characterize the sizes of liquid particles or drops such as are
produced by a spray nozzle or similar device under specified
2. Referenced Documents
conditions using a specified liquid. The drops will generally be
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in the size range from 5-µm to the order of 1 000-µm diameter;
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
they will occur in sprays which may be as small as a few cubic
ASTM Test Methods
centimetres or as large as several cubic metres. Typically the
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
number density of the particles can vary significantly from one
E799 Practice for Determining Data Criteria and Processing
point to another.
for Liquid Drop Size Analysis
1.2 This test method is intended primarily for use in
E1088 Definition of Terms Relating to Atomizing Devices
standardizing measurements of the performance of spraypro-
E1296 Terminology Relating to Liquid Particle Statistics
ducing devices. It is limited to those techniques and instru-
E1620 TerminologyRelatingtoLiquidParticlesandAtomi-
ments that operate by passing a beam of light through the spray
zation
and analyzing the light scattered by the droplets to derive size
2.2 NFPA Standards:
information. Such techniques do not produce images of indi-
3
NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
vidual drops, and therefore, are known as “optical (nonimag-
NFPA33 SprayApplicationUsingFlammableandCombus-
ing) instruments.”
3
tible Materials
1.3 The measurements made, when referred to the entire
spray being sampled, may be flux sensitive or spatial, as
3. Terminology
defined in Practice E799, depending on the techniques used
3.1 For terminology pertaining to this test method, refer to
with a particular instrument.
Terminology E456, Practice E799, Definitions E1088, and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Terminology E1296.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E29 on Particle For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and Spray Characterization and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E29.02 contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Non-Sieving Methods. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E1260 – 99. DOI: Available from the National Fire Protection Association, Battery-March Park,
10.1520/E1260-03. Quincey, MA 02269.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1260–03
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: windows should be inspected at frequent intervals for cleanli-
ness or damage and the manufacturer’s recommendations
3.2.1 spray—the term “spray” in this test method includes
followed.
all ensembles, ar
...