ASTM B311-08

Standard Test Method for Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
For PM materials containing less than two percent porosity, a density measurement may be used to determine if the part has been densified, either overall or in a critical region, to the degree required for the intended application. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating the degree of densification because chemical composition and heat treatment affect the pore-free density.
For cemented carbides, a density measurement is normally used to determine if there is any significant deviation in composition of the carbide grade. For straight tungsten carbide-cobalt grades, the relationship is straightforward. For complex carbide grades (for example, grades containing tantalum carbide or titanium carbide, or both, in addition to tungsten carbide-cobalt), the situation is more complicated. If the measured density is beyond the specified limits, the composition is outside of the specified limits. A measured density within the specified limits does not ensure correct composition; compensation between two or more constituents could result in the expected density with the wrong composition. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating a cemented carbide grade.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for powder metallurgy (PM) materials containing less than two percent porosity and for cemented carbides. This test method is based on the water displacement method.
Note 1—A test specimen that gains mass when immersed in water indicates the specimen contains surface-connected porosity. Unsealed surface porosity will absorb water and cause density values higher than the true value. This test method is not applicable if this problem occurs.  
1.2 With the exception of density values, for which the g/cm3 unit is the industry standard, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Values in inch-pound units are shown in parentheses and result from conversion in accordance with IEEE/ASTM Standard SI 10.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2008
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.11 - Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B311-93(2002)e1 - Test Method for Density Determination for Powder Metallurgy (P/M) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM B311-13 - Standard Test Method for Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2885-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Titanium-6Aluminum-4Vanadium Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B832-93(2018) - Standard Guide for Electroforming with Nickel and Copper
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM A988/A988M-23 - Standard Specification for Hot Isostatically-Pressed Stainless Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts for High Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B777-15(2020) - Standard Specification for Tungsten Base, High-Density Metal
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F2886-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Cobalt-28Chromium-6Molybdenum Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F3055-14a(2021) - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing Nickel Alloy (UNS N07718) with Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM A989/A989M-23 - Standard Specification for Hot Isostatically-Pressed Alloy Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts for High Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F2989-21 - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Unalloyed Titanium Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B988-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Powder Metallurgy (PM) Titanium and Titanium Alloy Structural Components
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F2924-14(2021) - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium with Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B883-19 - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded (MIM) Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B962-23 - Standard Test Methods for Density of Compacted or Sintered Powder Metallurgy (PM) Products Using Archimedes’ Principle
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F3637-23 - Standard Guide for Additive Manufacturing of Metal — Finished Part Properties — Methods for Relative Density Measurement
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

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: B311 − 08
StandardTest Method for
Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing
1
Less Than Two Percent Porosity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B311; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
NOTE 2—The water density table in ISO 3369 differs from the table
1. Scope*
contained in this test method.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for
powder metallurgy (PM) materials containing less than two
3. Terminology
percent porosity and for cemented carbides.This test method is
3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be
based on the water displacement method.
found in Terminology B243.Additional descriptive material is
NOTE 1—A test specimen that gains mass when immersed in water
available in the Related Material section of Vol. 02.05 of the
indicates the specimen contains surface-connected porosity. Unsealed
Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
surfaceporositywillabsorbwaterandcausedensityvalueshigherthanthe
true value. This test method is not applicable if this problem occurs.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 With the exception of density values, for which the
4.1 Using an analytical balance, the test specimen is first
3
g/cm unit is the industry standard, the values stated in SI units
weighed in air and then in water. The density is determined by
are to be regarded as the standard. Values in inch-pound units
calculation using Archimedes’ principle.
are shown in parentheses and result from conversion in
accordance with IEEE/ASTM Standard SI 10.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 For PM materials containing less than two percent
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
porosity, a density measurement may be used to determine if
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the part has been densified, either overall or in a critical region,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
to the degree required for the intended application. Density
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
alone cannot be used for evaluating the degree of densification
because chemical composition and heat treatment affect the
2. Referenced Documents
pore-free density.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.2 For cemented carbides, a density measurement is nor-
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
mally used to determine if there is any significant deviation in
2.2 IEEE/ASTM Standard:
composition of the carbide grade. For straight tungsten
SI 10 American National Standard for Use of the Interna-
carbide-cobalt grades, the relationship is straightforward. For
tional System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
complex carbide grades (for example, grades containing tan-
2.3 ISO Standard:
talum carbide or titanium carbide, or both, in addition to
3369 Impermeable Sintered Metal Materials and
tungsten carbide-cobalt), the situation is more complicated. If
3
Hardmetals—Determination of Density
the measured density is beyond the specified limits, the
composition is outside of the specified limits. A measured
density within the specified limits does not ensure correct
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
composition; compensation between two or more constituents
Powders and Metal Powder Productsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommit-
could result in the expected density with the wrong composi-
tee B09.11 on Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2008. Published January 2009. Originally
tion. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating a cemented
ϵ1
approved in 1956 . Last previous edition approved in 2002 as B311 – 93(2002) .
carbide grade.
DOI: 10.1520/B0311-08.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6. Apparatus
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
6.1 Analytical Balance— precision single-pan analytical
the ASTM website.
3
balance that will permit readings within 0.01 % of the test
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. specimen mass. The analytical balance shall be supported in a
*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

-----
...

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.
´1
Designation:B 311–93(Reapproved 2002)
Test Method for Density Determination for Powder Metallurgy
(P/M) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent
PorosityDesignation:B311–08
Standard Test Method for
Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing
1
Less Than Two Percent Porosity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B311; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1
´ NOTE—Paragraphs 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.4, and 6.1 were revised editorially in June 2002.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for powder metallurgy (P/M)(PM) materials containing less than two
percent porosity and for cemented carbides. This test method is based on the water displacement method.
NOTE 1—A test specimen that gains mass when immersed in water indicates the specimen contains surface-connected porosity. Unsealed surface
porosity will absorb water and cause density values higher than the true value. This test method is not applicable if this problem occurs.
1.2The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
3
1.2 With the exception of density values, for which the g/cm unit is the industry standard, the values stated in SI units are to
be regarded as the standard. Values in inch-pound units are shown in parentheses and result from conversion in accordance with
IEEE/ASTM Standard SI 10.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
2.2 IEEE/ASTM Standard:
SI 10 American National Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
2.3 ISO Standard:
3
3369 Impermeable Sintered Metal Materials and Hardmetals—Determination of Density
NOTE 2—The water density table in ISO 3369 differs from the table contained in this test method.
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1Using an analytical balance, the test specimen is first weighed in air and then in water. The density is determined by
calculation. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be found in Terminology B243. Additional descriptive material is
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeB09onMetalPowdersandMetalPowderProductsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeB09.11
on Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 1993. Published April 1994. Originally published as B 311–56T. Last previous edition B 311–92.
´1
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2008. Published January 2009. Originally approved in 1956 . Last previous edition approved in 2002 as B311 – 93(2002) . DOI:
10.1520/B0311-08.
2
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For AnnualBookofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*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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B311–08
available in the Related Material section of Vol. 02.05 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
4. Significance and Use
4.1For P/M materials containing less than two percent porosity, a density measurement may be used to determine if the part has
been densified, either overall or in a critical region, to the degree required for the intended application. Density alone cannot be
used for evaluating the degree of densification because chemical composition and heat treatment affect the pore-free density.
4.2For cemented carbides, a density measurement is normally used to determine if there is any
...