ASTM D3802-23

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Designation: D3802 − 16 D3802 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3802; 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
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the ball-pan hardness number of granular activated carbons. For the
purpose of this test, granular activated carbons are those having particles 90 % of which are larger than 80 mesh (180 μm) (180 μm)
as determined by Test Method D2862.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B19 Specification for Cartridge Brass Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, and Disks
B150/B150M Specification for Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar, and Shapes
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated Carbon
D2862 Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
3. Terminology
3.1 General—Terms applicable to this standard are defined in Terminology D2652.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 nominal particle size: natural, granular, and irregularly shaped particle carbons—carbons, n—that particle size range,
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas Phase
Evaluation Tests.
Current edition approved June 1, 2016June 1, 2023. Published July 2016July 2023. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
D3802 – 10.D3802 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D3802-16.10.1520/D3802-23.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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D3802 − 23
TABLE 1 Hardness Test Sieve (HTS) Corresponding to Specification E11 Sieves Defining Small-End Nominal Particle Size (SNPS)
SNPS HTS SNPS HTS
Opening, mm E11 Mesh Opening, μm E11 Mesh Opening, μm E11 Mesh Opening, μm E11 Mesh
5.6 3 ⁄2 2800 7 850 20 425 40
4.75 4 2360 8 710 25 355 45
4.00 5 2000 10 600 30 300 50
3.35 6 1700 12 500 35 250 60
2.80 7 1400 14 425 40 212 70
2.36 8 1180 16 355 45 180 80
2.00 10 1000 18 300 50 150 100
1.70 12 850 20 250 60 125 120
1.40 14 710 25 212 70 106 140
1.18 16 600 30 180 80 90 170
1.00 18 500 35
expressed in terms of Specification E11 sieve sizes, whose small end excludes not more than 5 % of the particle size distribution,
and whose large end excludes not more than 5 % of the distribution, on a weight basis.
3.2.2 nominal particle size: pelleted carbons—carbons, n—that particle size range, expressed in terms of Specification E11 sieve
sizes, whose small end excludes not more than 10 % of the particle size distribution, and whose large end excludes not more than
5 % of the distribution, on a weight basis.
3.2.3 small end nominal particle size—size, n—that particle size, expressed by its equivalent Specification E11 sieve, which
defines the excluded portion of the particle size distribution at its small particle size end in accordance with 3.2.1 or 3.2.2.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A screened and weighed sample of the carbon is placed in a specialbrass hardness pan with a specified number of stainless
steel balls, then subjected to a combined rotating and tapping action for 30 min. 30 min. At the end of this period, the amount of
particle size degradation is determined by measuring the quantity of carbon, by weight, which is retained on a sieve whose
openings are closest to one half the openings of the sieve that defines the minimum nominal particle size of the original sample.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Several methods have been employed in the past for determining the resistance of activated carbons to particle size degradation
under service conditions, including the ball-pan method, the stirring bar method, and the dust elutriation method. None of these
has provedhave proven completely satisfactory for all applications, and all have been questioned by ASTM Committee D28 on
Activated Carbon as tests for establishing degradation resistance. However, the ball-pan method has been used widely in the past
and has a broad history in the activated carbon industry for measuring the property loosely described as “hardness.” In this context
the test is useful in establishing a measurable characteristic of a carbon. Conceding the fact that the test does not actually measure
in-service resistance to degradation, it can be used to establish the comparability of lots ostensibly of the same grade of carbon.
6. Apparatus and Materials
6.1 Mechanical Sieve Shaker, designed to produce from 140 to 160 taps and from 280 to 320 rotating motions per minute in a stack
of standard Specification E11 sieves. The equipment is mounted securely to prevent energy loss through vibration, and must be
level. Adjust the sieve shaker to accommodate the desired number of sieves, receiver pan, and sieve cover. Adjust the bottom stops
to give a clearance of approximately 1.6 mm between the bottom plate and the sieves so that the sieves will be free to rotate. Fit
the sieve cover plate with a cork stopper which extends from 3.23.2 mm to 9.5 mm above the metal recess. The cork is seated in
the sieve cover so that it does not dampen the force of the hammer arm. Only cork is used. Run the shaker with an empty stack
for >3 min to seat the cork before sample testing.
6.2 Wire Cloth Sieves, in accordance with Specification E11; six required, at least four of which bracket the expected nominal
particle size distribution of the sample, and one of which, designated the hardness test sieve, has an opening as close as possible
to one half the opening of the sieve that defines the smaller nominal particle size of the original sample. Table 1 lists the hardness
The sole source of supply of the apparatus (the Tyler Ro-Tap Sieve Shaker, Model RX-29) known to the committee at this time is W.S. Tyler, Inc., Gastonia, NC. If you
are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of
the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
D3802 − 23
NOTE 1—Material is plate, of one of the following alloys: (1) Cartridge brass, UNS C26000, half-hard temper, hardness 60 HRB or greater (see
Specification B19); or (2) Aluminum bronze, UNS C61400, soft temper, hardness 140 HB or greater (see Specification B150/B150M).
FIG. 1 Pan for Ball-Pan Hardness Test
test sieve corresponding to each minimum nominal sieve.
6.3 Bottom Receiver Pan and Top Sieve Cover (see 6.1).
6.4 Pre-Conditioned Hardness Test Pan, having the dimensions of that in Fig. 1. Ensure that the hardness pan is curved consistent
with Fig. 1, where the center is lower than the sides. The hardness pan is conditioned prior to use by placing the pan and stainless
steel balls into the sieve stack and subjecting it to a combined rotating and tapping action for at least 24 h. Consistent surface
roughness may also be verified by internal reference material conformance.
6.5 Adjustable Interval Timer, with a
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