ASTM C371-09(2024)

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.
Designation: C371 − 09 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Test Method for
Wire-Cloth Sieve Analysis of Nonplastic Ceramic Powders
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C371; 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 3. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle
3.1 Sieve analyses are carried out to determine the particle
size distribution of nonplastic ceramic powders such as
size distribution of powders which, in turn, are used to qualify
alumina, silica, feldspar, pyrophyllite, nepheline syenite, talc,
those materials as to their usefulness in the process under
titanates, and zircon using wire cloth sieves.
consideration. Since particle size analyses have only relative
significance, the results should be considered only where they
1.2 Materials containing a large amount of fines, containing
correlate with process characteristics. The parameter that is
agglomerates, or that are nonfree-flowing, are wet-sieved to
being measured in this test is the amount of material that will
remove excessive fines or to disperse agglomerates before
pass through a cloth having theoretically square openings. It
performing the test. This technique is not applicable to mate-
must be remembered that all the holes are not square, nor
rials that are, to any degree, water soluble.
uniform in size, and the question of whether a given particle
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
will go through is a statistical one. Since each particle size
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
analysis method measures a unique physical parameter, the
conversions to inch-pound units, or are other customary units
results from one method may not agree with those from
(in the case of sieve frame diameter and sieve number), that are
another. Particle size distributions play a role in such properties
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
as bulk density, dustiness, and handling characteristics. Care
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the should be taken, however, when interpretations are made from
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the one or two points (sieves) on the distribution curve.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Apparatus
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Balance, having a sensitivity of 0.05 g.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 4.2 Sieves, clean, unblinded, 205 mm (8 in.) in diameter,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the and conforming to Specification E11. At all times they shall be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- certified by, or shall be calibrated with sieves certified by, the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical National Institute of Standards and Technology. For wet-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. sieving, use full-height 50-mm (2-in.) sieves; these sieves and
pan may be used for dry-sieving also. Half-height 25-mm
(1-in.) sieves and pan shall be used for dry-sieving only. The
2. Referenced Documents
sieves to be used may range from 45 μm (No. 325) through
2.1 ASTM Standards:
212 μm (No. 70).
C322 Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test 4.3 Drying Pans, about 205 mm (8 in.) in diameter and
Sieves
25 mm or 50 mm (1 in. or 2 in.) high.
4.4 Dryer—For drying, the use of an oven maintained
automatically at 100 °C to 110 °C is recommended.
This method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on Ceramic
4.5 Mechanical Shaking Device—The shaking device shall
Whitewares and Related Productsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C21.04 on Raw Materials. be such as to produce a lateral and vertical motion of the sieve,
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2024. Published February 2024. Originally
accompanied by a jarring action so as to keep the sample
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as C371 – 09 (2018).
moving continuously over the surface of the sieve.
DOI: 10.1520/C0371-09R24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.6 In wet-sieving, the water should be slightly above room
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
temperature (for example, a hot-cold mixer tap) and should be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. supplied by means of a fixed or hand-held spray.
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C371 − 09 (2024)
5. Sampling 6.4 When sieving is complete, pass a sponge over the
underside of the sieve-cloth to draw out as much of the water
5.1 Unit for Sampling—Each carload shall be considered a
a
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