ASTM E2456-06(2020)

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: E2456 − 06 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Terminology Relating to
Nanotechnology
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2456; 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 nanotechnology test methods, specifications, guides, and prac-
tices. The purpose of such use is to promote a clear under-
1.1 Nanotechnology is an emerging field; this standard
standing and interpretation of the standards in which they are
defines the novel terminology developed for its broad multi-
used.
and interdisciplinary activities. As the needs of this area
3.2.2 Definitions of terms are written in the broadest sense
develop, this standard will evolve accordingly. Its content may
possible, consistent with the intended meaning using the
be referenced or adopted, or both, in whole or in part, as
following guidance considerations.
demanded by the needs of the individual user.
3.2.2.1 Terminology E1992 and Practice E1964 concepts
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
are considered, especially Sections 6.5, 7, and 8 of Practice
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E1964.
standard.
3.2.2.2 Terms and nomenclature are based on observed
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor- scientific phenomena and are descriptive, distinguishable, and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
have significant currency in the nanotechnology field as
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the reflected in peer-reviewed articles and other objective sources.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
These terms and names should not disrupt accepted usage in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical other scientific and technological fields, and their preferred
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
usage should follow accepted scientific syntax.
3.2.2.3 When incorporating a term or name from a related
2. Referenced Documents
field,itsunderlyingmeaningisnotredefined.Modificationsare
minimal and are done to elucidate scientific distinctions
2.1 ASTM Standards:
required by nanotechnology practitioners.
E1964 Practice for Compiling and Writing & Terminology
3.2.2.4 When conflicting or overlapping terms and names
(Withdrawn 2007)
arise between scientific disciplines, precedence was given to
E1992 Terminology Relating to Terminology Management
the established term that has behind it a significant body of
(Withdrawn 2007)
knowledge.
3.2.2.5 The definition of a term that can have different
3. Significance and Use
meanings in different technical fields, especially those fields
3.1 This standard is intended to facilitate communication
beyond nanotechnology, is preceded by a limiting phrase, for
among members of the business, research, legal, government,
example, “in nanotechnology.”
and educational communities.
3.3 Description of Terms:
3.2 Definitions:
3.3.1 Descriptions of Terms are special purpose definitions
3.2.1 Terms and their related standard definitions in Section
intended to provide a precise understanding and interpretation
4 are intended for use uniformly and consistently in all
of standards in which they are used.
3.3.2 A specific description of a term is applicable to the
standard or standards in which the term is described and used.
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E56 on
3.3.3 Each standard in which a term is used in a specially
Nanotechnology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E56.01 on
Informatics and Terminology.
defined manner beyond the definitions in Section 3 should list
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally
the term and its description under the subheading, descriptions
approved in 2006. Last previously edition approved in 2012 as E2456 – 06 (2012).
of terms.
DOI: 10.1520/E2456-06R20.
3.3.4 Practice E1964, Section 13, are used to guide the
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
contents of descriptions.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3.3.5 As nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field, it
the ASTM website.
will be necessary to continually reassess the terms and defini-
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. tions contained in this standard, for purposes of revision when
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2456 − 06 (2020)
necessary. The intent of the terms and definitions in this nanoscience, n—the study of nanoscale materials, processes,
standard is to describe materials containing features between phenomena, or devices.
approximately 1 and 100 nm and to differentiate those prop-
nanostructured, adj—containing physically or chemically
erties different from properties found in either molecules or the
distinguishable components, at least one of which is na-
bulk (interior) of larger, micron-sized systems.
noscale in one or more dimensions.
3.4 Discussion of Terms:
DISCUSSION—While many conventional nanomaterials are distin-
3.4.1 Discussion sub-paragraphs are non-normative. They
guished by physical or chemical characteristics, biological recognition
are used in this standard to provide explanatory information, to may also be the basis for defining a nanostructure.Though this concept
is formally contained by the word ‘chemically’ such a feature would
clarify distinctions between the use of terms in this standard as
lead to a distinctive type of nanostructured system.
compared with that in other contexts or other fields of
technology and to suggest preferred usage of a term.
nanotechnology, n—A term referring to a wide range of
technologies that measure, manipulate, or incorporate mate-
4. Terminology
rials or features, or both, with at least one dimension
agglomerate, n—in nanotechnology, a group of particles held
between approximately 1 and 100 nm. Such applications
together by relatively weak forces (for example, Van der
exploit the properties, distinct from bulk/macroscopic
Waals or capillary), that may break apart into smaller
systems, of nanoscale components.
particles upon processing, for example.
non-transitive nanoparticle, n— in nanotechnology, a nano-
aggregate, n—in nanotechnology, a discrete group of particles
particle that does not exhibit size-related intensive proper-
in which the various individual components are not easily
ties.
broken apart, such as in the case of primary particles that are
DISCUSSION—This term should be used when the subject material has
strongly bonded together (for example, fused, sintered, or
stable properties that fall on a continuum that can be smoothly
metallically bonded particles). extrapolated from the behavior of the bulk (larger scale) material.
Non-transitive nanoparticles are often applied in industries that exploit
fine particle, n—in nanotechnology, a particle smaller than
their features, such as minimal optical scattering or high surface areas,
about 2.5 µm and larger than about 0.1 µm in size.
to improve the radiation absorption, abrasion resistance or mechanical
DISCUSSION—Used in aerosols science to describe atmospheric aero-
strength of materials.
sol involving particles that may be solids or liquids.
particle, n—in nanotechnology, a small object that behaves as
nano, n—(1) The SI definition, a prefix used to form decimal
a whole unit in terms of its transport and properties.
submultiples of the SI unit “metre”, designating a factor of
-9
transitive nanoparticle, n—in nanotechnology, a nanoparticle
10 denoted by the symbol “n”. (2) Pertaining to things on
exhibiting a size-related intensive property that differs sig-
a scale of approximately 1 to 100 nm. (3) A prefix referring
nificantly from that observed in fine particles or bulk
to an activity, material, process or device that pertains to a
materials.
field of knowledge defined by nanotechnology and nanosci-
DISCUSSION—This term should be used when the material has
ence.
properties that emerge only on the nanoscale. It is reserved for the
nanoparticle, n—in nanotechnology, a sub-classification of
special case of nanoscale materials which have behavior that does not
ultrafine particle with lengths in two or three dimensions smoothly or simply extrapolate from the bulk, and also encompasses
those systems which have features that respond to external forces in an
greater than 0.001 µm (1 nm) and smaller than about 0.1 µm
interactive manner.
(100 nm) and which may or may not exhibit a size-related
intensive property.
ultrafine particle, n—in nanotechnology, a particle ranging in
DISCUSSION—This term is a subject of controversy regarding the size
size from approximately 0.1 µm (100 nm) to 0.001 µm (1
range and the presence of a size-related property. Current usage
nm).
emphasizes size and not properties in the definition. The length scale
DISCUSSION—The term is most often used to describe aerosol
may be a hydrodynamic diameter or a geometric length appropriate to
particles such as those found in welding fumes and combustion
the intended use of the nanoparticle.
by-products. The length scale may be measured by a particle’s
nanoscale, adj—having one or more dimensions from approxi-
geometric, aerodynamic, mobility, projected-area, or hydrodynamic
mately 1 to 100 nm. dimension.
E2456 − 06 (2020)
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS
X1.1 About ASTM International tific knowledge through the development of award-winning
publications and world-class conferences. Through its varied
X1.1.1 ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary
programs,AIChE is a focal point for information exchange on
standards development organizations in the world-a trusted
the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as
source for technical standards for materials, products, systems,
nanotechnology, sustainability, hydrogen fuels, biological and
and services. Known for their high technical quality and
environmental engineering, and chemical plant safety and
market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an
security.
important role in the information infrastructure that guides
design
...