ASTM E1617-97

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E 1617 – 97
Standard Practice for
Reporting Particle Size Characterization Data
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1617; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Correlation and comparison of particle size measurement data are of general importance to
researchers, processors, suppliers, vendors, and users of particulate materials. Since there are
numerous methods and devices in use, comparisons of size measurement data are subject to perceived
inconsistencies that may be much reduced by the use of standardized reporting.
Data generated by any one size measurement method may be consistent in many respects, yet be
troublesome to correlate due to variances in data processing and reporting formats among equipment
manufacturers. Data generated from methods employing different physical principles present serious
correlation problems due to their sensing of different parameters related to particle size and some
unrelated, such as density, shape and optical properties. Standardized reporting may reduce confusion
resulting from different particle size measurement practices.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This practice covers reporting particle size measurement 2.1 ASTM Standards:
data. E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.2 This practice applies to particle size measurement meth- ASTM Test Methods
ods, devices, detail levels, and data formats for dry powders, E 380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units
and wet suspensions of solids, gels, or emulsion droplets. This (SI)
practice does not pertain to liquid particles. E 456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
NOTE 1—For information on reporting liquid particle measurement
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
data, refer to Practice E 799.
E 799 Practice for Determining Data Criteria and Process-
1.3 This practice does not concern particle concentration 2
ing for Liquid Drop Size Analysis
information.
1.4 This practice uses SI (Système International) units as
3. Significance and Use
standard. State all numerical values in terms of SI units unless
3.1 When evaluating the particle size information, if the
specific instrumentation software reports particle size informa-
procedures of the data processing are not available, the user of
tion, including percentiles, indices, and distributions as tabu-
the data must make assumptions concerning the reported data
lations and graphs using alternate units. In this case, present
in the event of analytical inconsistencies. In order for different
both reported and equivalent SI units in the final written report.
data sets to be compared it is crucial that the parties report the
Refer to Practice E 380 for proper usage of SI units.
analytical techniques and methods or procedures for evaluat-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ing, calculating, compiling or otherwise processing the data to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
be reported.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Particle size characterization information can be re-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ported in three levels of detail in order to satisfy user’s needs.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.1 Level 1 applies when only basic information about the
material is required, and shall be provided with each shipment.
This level represents the minimum information that shall be
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-29 on Particle
reported.Level1informationmaybesufficientinsuchcasesas
Size Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E29.02 on
Subsieve Testing.
Current edition approved April 10, 1997. Published October 1997. Originally
published as E 1617 – 94. Last previous edition E 1617 – 97. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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.
E1617–97
identifying a certain grade of a material or when detailed 4.5.1 The Level 2 report shall include all information listed
knowledge of analytical methodology is not needed. under 4.4.
3.2.2 Level 2 presumes the need for knowledge of method- 4.5.2 The report shall include the manufacturer’s identifica-
ology on the user’s part and allows the user to make a more tion of the instrument or apparatus used to perform the particle
informed judgment about the information provided in Level 1. size measurement.
3.2.3 Level 3 provides detailed written procedures to allow 4.5.3 The report shall include all of the parameters required
duplication of the measurement. to use the instrument or apparatus.
3.2.4 Information provided through Levels 2 and 3 will 4.5.4 The report shall include the software version num-
allow users to perform comparative material evaluations be- ber(s) of any computerized instrument used to measure particle
tween several suppliers, set specifications or define a purchase size.
agreement, perform inter-laboratory studies and most impor- 4.5.5 The report shall include a description of the basis of
tantly resolve disputes between supplier and users. calculations performed by the instrument, to the extent avail-
3.3 Reported particle size measurement is a function of both able from the instrument manufacturer. Also, the report shall
the actual particle dimension and shape factor as well as the include description of any additional calculations performed
particular physical or chemical properties of the particle being outside of the instrument software package.
measured. Caution is required when comparing data from 4.5.6 The report shall include basic statistical information,
instruments operating on different physical or chemical param- such as standard deviation, number of degrees of freedom, and
eters or with different particle size measurement ranges. confidence interval, and shall include a description of the
Sample acquisition, handling and preparation can also affect calculations used to produce this statistical information.
the reported particle size results. 4.5.7 The report shall include the specifications or limits of
the measurement as defined by the instrument manufacturer.
4. Procedure
4.5.8 The report shall
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