ASTM B527-23

Standard Test Method for Tap Density of Metal Powders and Compounds

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method covers the evaluation of the tap density physical characteristic of metal powders and related compounds. The measured tap density bears a relationship to the mass of powder that will fill a fixed volume die cavity or other container in situations where the container is tapped, vibrated, or otherwise agitated. The degree of correlation between the results of this test method and the quality of powders in use will vary with each particular application and has not been fully determined.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method specifies a method for the determination of tap density (packed density) of metal powders and compounds, that is, the density of a powder that has been tapped, to settle contents, in a container under specified conditions.  
1.2 Units—With the exception of the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram per cubic centimetre (g/cm3) and gram (g) units is the long-standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be regarded as 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, 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2023
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.03 - Refractory Metal Powders

Standards Content (Sample)

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: B527 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Tap Density of Metal Powders and Compounds
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B527; 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* 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method specifies a method for the determina- 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
method, see Terminology B243. Additional descriptive PM
tion of tap density (packed density) of metal powders and
compounds, that is, the density of a powder that has been information is available in the Committee Documents section
of the B09 Committee web page.
tapped, to settle contents, in a container under specified
conditions.
4. Significance and Use
1.2 Units—With the exception of the values for density and
4.1 This test method covers the evaluation of the tap density
the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the
3
physical characteristic of metal powders and related com-
gram per cubic centimetre (g/cm ) and gram (g) units is the
pounds. The measured tap density bears a relationship to the
long-standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be
mass of powder that will fill a fixed volume die cavity or other
regarded as standard.
container in situations where the container is tapped, vibrated,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
or otherwise agitated. The degree of correlation between the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
results of this test method and the quality of powders in use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
will vary with each particular application and has not been
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
fully determined.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Apparatus
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 Balance, of appropriate capacity to satisfy the require-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ments shown in Table 1 and accuracy of 6 0.05 g.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.2 Graduated Glass Cylinder, calibrated to contain
3
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
100 cm at 20 °C, the height of the graduated portion being
3
approximately 175 mm. The graduations shall be at 1 cm
3
2. Referenced Documents intervals, thus allowing a measuring accuracy of 60.5 cm . For
3
apparent densities equal to or greater than 4 g ⁄cm , do not use
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
the 100 cm cylinder; see 5.2.1.1.
B215 Practices for Sampling Metal Powders
5.2.1 Alternatively, the following may be used:
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
5.2.1.1 Graduated Glass Cylinder, calibrated to contain
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
3
25 cm at 20 °C, the height of the graduated portion being
ASTM Test Methods
3
approximately 135 mm. The graduations shall be at 0.2 cm
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
3
intervals, thus allowing a measuring accuracy of 60.1 cm .
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3
5.2.1.2 A 25 cm cylinder shall be used for powders of
3
apparent density equal to or greater than 4 g ⁄cm , in particular
for refractory metal powders.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
5.3 Tapping Apparatus, which permits the tapping of the
mittee B09.03 on Refractory Metal Powders.
graduated cylinder against a firm base. The tapping shall be
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally
such that a densification of the powder can take place without
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as B527 – 22. DOI:
10.1520/B0527-23.
any loosening of its surface layers. The stroke shall be 3 mm
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and the tapping frequency shall be between 100 and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
300 taps ⁄min. An example of a tapping apparatus is shown in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Fig. 1.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshoh
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B527 − 22 B527 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Tap Density of Metal Powders and Compounds
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B527; 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 specifies a method for the determination of tap density (packed density) of metal powders and compounds,
that is, the density of a powder that has been tapped, to settle contents, in a container under specified conditions.
1.2 Units—With the exception of the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram per
3
cubic centimetre (g/cm ) and gram (g) units is the long-standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be regarded as
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, 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B215 Practices for Sampling Metal Powders
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method, see Terminology B243. Additional descriptive PM information
is available in the Committee Documents section of the B09 Committee web page.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method covers the evaluation of the tap density physical characteristic of metal powders and related compounds. The
measured tap density bears a relationship to the mass of powder that will fill a fixed volume die cavity or other container in
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B09.03
on Refractory Metal Powders.
Current edition approved March 1, 2022Feb. 1, 2023. Published March 2022February 2023. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20202022
as B527 – 20.B527 – 22. DOI: 10.1520/B0527-22.10.1520/B0527-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B527 − 23
situations where the container is tapped, vibrated, or otherwise agitated. The degree of correlation between the results of this test
method and the quality of powders in use will vary with each particular application and has not been fully determined.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Balance, of appropriate capacity to satisfy the requirements shown in Table 1 and accuracy of 6 0.05 g.
3
5.2 Graduated Glass Cylinder, calibrated to contain 100 cm at 20 °C, the height of the graduated portion being approximately
3 3
175 mm. The graduations shall be at 1 cm intervals, thus allowing a measuring accuracy of 60.5 cm . For apparent densities equal
3 3
to or greater than 4 g ⁄cm , do not use the 100 cm cylinder; see 5.2.1.1.
5.2.1 Alternatively, the following may be used:
3
5.2.1.1 Graduated Glass Cylinder, calibrated to contain 25 cm at 20 °C, the height of the graduated portion being approximately
3 3
135 mm. The graduations shall be at 0.2 cm intervals, thus allowing a measuring accuracy of 60.1 cm .
3 3
5.2.1.2 A 25 cm cylinder shall be used for powders of apparent density equal to or greater than 4 g ⁄cm , in particular for
refractory metal powders.
5.3 Tapping Apparatus, which permits the tapping of the graduated cylinder against a fi
...