ASTM E112-96e3

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e3
Designation: E 112 – 96
Standard Test Methods for
1
Determining Average Grain Size
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E112; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1
e NOTE—Equations A1.4, A1.5 and A1.6 were editorially revised in April 2000.
2
e NOTE—New numbers were assigned to the adjuncts in February 2003.
3
e NOTE—Footnotes 4, 5 and 9 were editorially corrected and footnote 8 was editorially removed in May 2004.
INTRODUCTION
These test methods of determination of average grain size in metallic materials are primarily
measuring procedures and, because of their purely geometric basis, are independent of the metal or
alloy concerned. In fact, the basic procedures may also be used for the estimation of average grain,
crystal, or cell size in nonmetallic materials. The comparison method may be used if the structure of
the material approaches the appearance of one of the standard comparison charts. The intercept and
planimetric methods are always applicable for determining average grain size. However, the
comparison charts cannot be used for measurement of individual grains.
1. Scope sizeofthethree-dimensionalgrainsinthespecimenvolume,is
beyond the scope of these test methods.
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of average
1.4 These test methods describe techniques performed
grainsizeandincludethecomparisonprocedure,theplanimet-
manually using either a standard series of graded chart images
ric (or Jeffries) procedure, and the intercept procedures. These
for the comparison method or simple templates for the manual
testmethodsmayalsobeappliedtononmetallicmaterialswith
counting methods. Utilization of semi-automatic digitizing
structures having appearances similar to those of the metallic
tablets or automatic image analyzers to measure grain size is
structures shown in the comparison charts. These test methods
described in Test Methods E1382.
apply chiefly to single phase grain structures but they can be
1.5 Thesetestmethodsdealonlywiththerecommendedtest
applied to determine the average size of a particular type of
methods and nothing in them should be construed as defining
grain structure in a multiphase or multiconstituent specimen.
or establishing limits of acceptability or fitness of purpose of
1.2 These test methods are used to determine the average
the materials tested.
grain size of specimens with a unimodal distribution of grain
1.6 The measured values are stated in SI units, which are
areas, diameters, or intercept lengths. These distributions are
regarded as standard. Equivalent inch-pound values, when
approximately log normal. These test methods do not cover
listed, are in parentheses and may be approximate.
methods to characterize the nature of these distributions.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Characterization of grain size in specimens with duplex grain
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
size distributions is described in Test Methods E1181. Mea-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surement of individual, very coarse grains in a fine grained
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
matrix is described in Test Methods E930.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 These test methods deal only with determination of
1.8 The paragraphs appear in the following order:
planar grain size, that is, characterization of the two-
Section Number
dimensional grain sections revealed by the sectioning plane.
Scope 1
Determinationofspatialgrainsize,thatis,measurementofthe
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
Significance and Use 4
Generalities of Application 5
1
Sampling 6
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-4 on
Test Specimens 7
Metallography and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.08 on Grain
Calibration 8
Size.
Preparation of Photomicrographs 9
Current edition approved May 10, 1996. Published July 1996. Originally
Comparison Procedure 10
published as E112–55T. Last previous edition E112–95.
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E112–96
of-polish or that volume enclosed by the original (primary)
Planimetric (Jeffries) Procedure 11
General Intercept Procedures 12
boundaryinthethree-dimensionalobject.Inmaterialscontain-
Heyn Linear Intercept Procedure 13
ing twin boundaries, the twin boundaries are ignor
...