ISO 12103-1:2016

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12103-1
Second edition
2016-03-01
Road vehicles — Test contaminants for
filter evaluation —
Part 1:
Arizona test dust
Véhicules routiers — Poussière pour l’essai des filtres —
Partie 1: Poussière d’essai d’Arizona
Reference number
©
ISO 2016
© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
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ii © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Test dust description . 1
3 Test dust designation . 1
4 Particle size distribution . 1
5 Chemical composition . 2
5.1 Typical chemical content of ISO specified Arizona test dusts . 2
5.2 Chemical analysis methodology — X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) . 2
Annex A (normative) Analysis equipment and operating procedure . 3
Annex B (informative) History of Arizona test dust . 7
Annex C (informative) Handling and preparation . 9
Bibliography .14
Foreword
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bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 34,
Propulsion, powertrain and powertrain fluids.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12103-1:1997), which has been technically
revised.
ISO 12103 consists of the following parts, under the general title Road vehicles — Test contaminants for
filter evaluation:
— Part 1: Arizona test dust
— Part 2: Aluminium oxide test dust
The following parts are under preparation:
— Part 3: Soot aerosol
iv © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This part of 12103 specifies four grades of test dusts made from Arizona desert sand composed of
naturally occurring compounds which motor vehicles are commonly subjected to. These test dusts
are used to determine performance of filtration systems. Due to the abrasive characteristics of these
materials, they have also been used in wear studies involving bearings, internal combustion engines
and fuel injection systems, seals, fan blades, windshield wipers, etc.
This part of ISO 12103 specifies particle size distribution of four grades of test dust by volume percent
as opposed to number characterization.
Dusts complying with volume distribution specified in this part of ISO 12103 are not appropriate for
calibration of particle counters. For this purpose, refer to ISO 11171.
This is an Arizona Test Dust standard, not other region document. Other dusts and documents can be
brought forward to the committee to be developed into a standard.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12103-1:2016(E)
Road vehicles — Test contaminants for filter evaluation —
Part 1:
Arizona test dust
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12103 defines particle size distribution and chemical content limits involving four
grades of test dust made from Arizona desert sand.
2 Test dust description
ISO test dusts according to this part of ISO 12103 are manufactured from Arizona desert sand. Arizona
desert sand is a naturally occurring contaminant consisting primarily of silicon dioxide with smaller
amounts of other compounds. It is collected from the Salt River area of Arizona desert and sized to
specific particle size.
Arizona desert sand has also been referred to as Arizona road dust, Arizona test dust, Arizona silica, AC
fine or coarse test dust, and SAE fine or coarse test dust.
Bulk density of ISO test dusts made from Arizona sand varies with particle size (see Table 1).
Table 1 — Bulk density
Approximate bulk
Category density, kg/m
ISO ultrafine 500
ISO fine 900
ISO medium 1 025
ISO coarse 1 200
3 Test dust designation
Arizona test dusts are available in four standard grades designated as follows:
— ISO 12103-1, A.1 ultrafine test dust;
— ISO 12103-1, A.2 fine test dust;
— ISO 12103-1, A.3 medium test dust;
— ISO 12103-1, A.4 coarse test dust.
4 Particle size distribution
Particle size distribution is determined using a light scattering particle size analyser, as referenced in
ISO 13320.
Table 2 specifies cumulative volume particle size limits for ISO test dusts made from Arizona desert
1)
sand, when determined using a Microtrac S3500™ particle size analyser.
When the different type analyser is employed by a test laboratory, the laboratory should generate
suitable correlation data between the analyser by which these powders are supplied to conform
1)
[Microtrac analyser] and by the analyser adopted by the test laboratory.
Table 2 — Particle size distributions (volume % less than)
Size, µm A1 ultrafine A2 fine A3 medium A4 coarse
352,00 — — — 100,0
248,90 — — 100,0 99,0 – 100,0
176,00 — 100,0 99,0 – 100,0 97,2 – 98,2
124,50 — 99,0 – 100,0 97,2 – 98,6 93,0 – 94,0
88,00 — 97,9 – 98,9 94,7 – 96,0 85,0 – 86,5
44,00 — 89,5 – 91,5 82,0 – 83,5 58,0 – 60,0
22,00 100,0 73,5 – 76,0 62,5 – 64,5 36,0 – 38,5
11,00 95,5 – 97,5 57,0 – 59,5 42,3 – 43,6 21,0 – 23,0
5,50 65,0 – 69,0 39,5 – 42,5 22,1 – 23,2 11,5 – 12,5
2,75 23,0 – 27,0 21,3 – 23,3 10,3 – 11,1 5,5 – 6,3
1,38 7,0 – 10,0 8,0 – 9,5 3,8 – 4,4 1,8 – 2,1
0,97 3,0 – 5,0 4,5 – 5,5 2,0 – 2,4 0,74 – 0,83
NOTE Data shown per Table 2 was determined using the particle size analysis instrument indicated in normative Annex A.
Use of any other particle size analysis equipment will obtain different results.
5 Chemical composition
5.1 Typical chemical content of ISO specified Arizona test dusts
See Table 3.
Table 3 — Chemical content
Element Percentage of mass
Silicon 69,0 – 77,0
Aluminium 8,0 – 14,0
Iron 4,0 – 7,0
Potassium 2,0 – 5,0
Calcium 2,5 – 5,5
Sodium 1,0 – 4,0
Magnesium 1,0 – 2,0
Titanium 0,0 – 1,0
5.2 Chemical analysis methodology — X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF)
Chemical analysis is performed using an X-ray fluorescence analyser per ASTM C114-15.
1) Microtrac and Microtrac S3500 are trademarks. This information is given for the convenience of users of this
document and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of the product named.
2 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Annex A
(normative)
Analysis equipment and operating procedure
A.1 Particle size analyser
A.1.1 General
Particle size data of ISO specified Arizona test dusts as shown in Table 2, were determined using a
TM
Microtrac Model S3500 light scattering type analyser. Use of any other particle size analysis
equipment will obtain different results. Other particle size analysis instruments may be acceptable
for analysis of test dust products specified in ISO 12103-1, if suitability and correlation is determined
TM
between the Microtrac S3500 and the other analyser. Use of particle size analysis instruments other
TM
than the Microtrac S3500 will require a modified particle size analysis procedure.
TM
The Microtrac Model S3500 employs use of three light scattering lasers that are combined to produce
the resulting particle size distribution data. A tri-laser system uses precise angular measurement of
scattered light through a full 180° angular range with three lasers and two detector arrays. Analysis of
scattered light to determine particle size employs a Mie based unified angular scattering theory with a
dynamic range of 0,02 microns to 2 800 microns (see Table A.1).
Normally, it is not acceptable to publish a manufacturer’s name or equipment identification. However,
due to the close tolerance of the specified particle size limits and variation between instruments by
multiple manufacturers, one particle size analysis instrument was defined for this specification.
Particle size distribution specified limits shown in Table 2 were derived from sample analysis of PTI
TM
manufactured test dust produced prior to May 1994 using three separate Microtrac Model S3500
light scattering analysers.
TM
Table A.1 — Microtrac Model S3500 specifications
Item Specification
Measuring range 0,02 micron to 2 800 micron
Basic range Wet 0,7 micron to 1 000 micron
High range Wet 2,75 micron to 2 800 micron
Standard range Wet 0,24 micron to 1 400 micron
Special range Wet 0,086 micron to 1 400 micron
Extended range Wet 0,021 micron to 2 000 micron
Enhanced range Wet 0,021 micron to 2 800 micron
Precision Spherical Glass Beads D50 = 642 micron, Precision as CV = 0,7 %
Spherical Glass Beads D50 = 56 micron, Precision as CV = 1,0 %
Spherical Latex Beads D50 = 0,4 micron, Precision as CV = 0,6 %
Lasers Wavelength 780 nm
Table A.1 (continued)
Power 3 mW nominal
Detection system Two fixed photo-electric detectors with logarithmically spaced segments placed at
correct angles for optimal scattered light detection. 0,02° to 163 ° using 151 detector
segments.
Data handling Volume, Number and Area distributions as well as percentile and other summary data.
Data are stored in ODBC format in encrypted Microsoft Access Databases to ensure
compatibility with external statistical software applications. Data integrity may be
ensured using FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant security features including password
protection, electronic signatures and assignable permissions.
TM
A.1.2 Microtrac S3500 particle size analysis procedure
A.1.2.1 Sample preparation
Typical sample preparation is as follows.
a) It is important to ensure the sample taken is representative of the lot of test dust to be tested and
mixed well before placing into a clean 20 ml to 50 ml sample vial.
b) Obtain a clean vial and add the required representative sample quantity based on Table A.2.
TM
Table A.2 — Microtrac S3500 Sample Weights
ISO grade Sample amount in mg
ISO ultrafine 14-16
ISO fine 29-31
ISO medium 39-41
ISO coarse 54-56
c) Add one drop of dispersant to the vial. It is very important that dispersant used does not create
bubbles.
d) Add approximately 10 ml distilled water to the vial and mix by gently moving the vial in a circular
motion. Avoid creating bubbles.
e) Place sample vial and contents in an external low power ultrasonic bath, having a water depth of
2 cm, for 30 s. The ultrasonic bath should be in the range of 50 W to 100 W, 50 kHz to 80 kHz. Do not
use the Microtrac internal ultrasonic as it may cause bubbles.
A.1.2.2 Analyser software sample set-up
Analyser software sample set-up is done as follows.
a) Open the Microtrac FLEX software program.
b) Click “Measure” on the main program window and select S3500/S3000.
c) Click “File” and select “Open Measurement Database”, select appropriate database for the material
being analysed.
d) Click “SOP” (Standard Operating Procedure) icon on the measure toolbar. Click Options button
to setup appropriate measurement setup parameters. Set measurement parameters per the
followings:
1) Timing tab is set as follows:
― Set Zero time = 30 s;
4 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

― Run time = 30 s;
― Number of runs = 3.
2) Identifier tab is used to enter general information if desired.
3) Analysis tab is set using the following tabs:
i) Particle information tab:
I) Select Refractive Index of 1,51 and save with the appropriate particle name.
II) Particle characteristics box:
— Set transparency; Transparent;
— Set Shape; Irregular.
ii) Fluid information tab:
— Select fluid; water;
— Select refractive index; 1,333.
iii) Analysis options tab:
— Select S3000 from Analysis Mode drop down list;
— Select Enabled Standard from Filter drop down list.
iv) Sample loading tab is used to enter user defined loading index limits for each grade per
Table A.2.
TM
Table A.3 — Microtrac S3500 loading index limits
ISO grade Loading index limits
ISO ultrafine 0,89 – 0,90
ISO fine 0,86 – 0,87
ISO medium 0,86 – 0,87
ISO coarse 0,87 – 0,88
v) Perspective tab is set as follows:
— Select Geom 4 Root from Progression drop down list;
— Select Volume from the Distribution drop down list.
vi) SDC tab is set as follows:
I) SDC options; Set the following parameters:
— Number of Rinses = 3;
— Number of Deaerate Cycles = 3;
— Flow = 55.
II) Click OK button when all parameters have been entered.
III) Enter appropriate name in the SOP Name to Save or Delete box on the Measurement
SOP dialogue box and then click the save button.
e) Open the identifiers (ID) tab. Set the identifiers per the following:
1) Enter material description in the title section, i.e. ISO 12103-1, A.2 fine test dust.
2) Enter ID in first line of Sample ID section.
f) Click “Flow” icon on SDC/ASVR toolbar on the right side of the measurement window to start the
recirculator.
g) Click “S/Z” (set zero) icon on the measure toolbar. After the set zero is successfully completed, the
time will appear on the upper left portion of the screen highlighted in green.
h) Click the “Load Sample” (LD) icon on the measure toolbar.
A.1.2.3 Sample loading and analysis
Obtain a clean pipette and load prepared sample into recirculator making sure the entire sample is
loaded without creating bubbles. The indicator bar shall be within the transmission range (green zone)
when the entire sample has been loaded. If excess sample has been loaded abort the procedure, rinse
recirculator and start over.
Operate icons per the following.
— Click “Run” icon on the measurement bar.
— Click the print icon wh
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