Standard Test Method for Determining Concentration of Airborne Single-Crystal Ceramic Whiskers in the Workplace Environment by Scanning Electron Microscopy

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The SCCW may be present in the workplace atmosphere where these materials are manufactured, processed, transported, or used. This test method can be used to monitor airborne concentrations of SCCW fibers in these environments. It may be employed as part of a personal or area monitoring strategy.
This test method is based on morphology and elemental composition. The analysis technique has the ability to identify SCCW.
Note 1—This test method assumes that the analyst is familiar with the operation of SEM/EDS instrumentation and the interpretation of data obtained using these techniques.
This test method is not appropriate for measurement of fibers with diameters ≤0.10 to 0.25 μm due to visibility limitations associated with SEM. The TEM method may be used to provide additional size information of SCCW if needed (see Practice D 6058 for additional information on the use of this test method).
Results from the use of this test method shall be reported along with 95 % confidence limits for the samples being studied. Individual laboratories shall determine their intralaboratory coefficient of variation and use it for reporting 95 % confidence limits (1,3,4).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the sampling methods and analysis techniques used to assess the airborne concentration and size distribution of single-crystal ceramic whiskers (SCCW), such as silicon carbide and silicon nitride, which may occur in and around the workplace where these materials are manufactured, processed, transported, or used. This test method is based on the collection of fibers by filtration of a known quantity of air through a filter. The filter is subsequently evaluated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the number of fibers meeting appropriately selected morphological and compositional criteria. This test method has the ability to distinguish among many different types of fibers based on energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. This test method may be appropriate for other man-made mineral fibers (MMMF).
1.2 This test method is applicable to the quantitation of fibers on a collection filter that are greater than 5 m in length, less than 3 m in width, and have an aspect ratio equal to or greater than 5:1. The data are directly convertible to a statement of concentration per unit volume of air sampled. This test method is limited by the diameter of the fibers visible by SEM (typically greater than 0.10 to 0.25 m in width as determined in 12.1.5) and the amount of coincident interference particles.
1.3 A more definitive analysis may be necessary to confirm the presence of fibers with diameters 0.10 to 0.25 m in width. For this purpose, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) is appropriate. The use of the TEM method for the identification and size measurement of SCCW is described in Practice D 6058 and Test Method D 6056.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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-Sep-2006
Technical Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Buy Standard

Standard
ASTM D6059-96(2006) - Standard Test Method for Determining Concentration of Airborne Single-Crystal Ceramic Whiskers in the Workplace Environment by Scanning Electron Microscopy
English language
9 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview

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:D6059–96 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Concentration of Airborne Single-Crystal
Ceramic Whiskers in the Workplace Environment by
1
Scanning Electron Microscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6059; 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 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method covers the sampling methods and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
analysis techniques used to assess the airborne concentration
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
and size distribution of single-crystal ceramic whiskers
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
(SCCW),suchassiliconcarbideandsiliconnitride,whichmay
occur in and around the workplace where these materials are
2. Referenced Documents
manufactured, processed, transported, or used. This test
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
method is based on the collection of fibers by filtration of a
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
knownquantityofairthroughafilter.Thefilterissubsequently
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
evaluated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the
Atmospheres
number of fibers meeting appropriately selected morphological
D4532 Test Method for Respirable Dust in Workplace
and compositional criteria. This test method has the ability to
Atmospheres
distinguish among many different types of fibers based on
D6056 Test Method for Determining Concentration of Air-
energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.This test
borne Single-Crystal Ceramic Whiskers in the Workplace
method may be appropriate for other man-made mineral fibers
Environment by Transmission Electron Microscopy
(MMMF).
D6057 Test Method for Determining Concentration of Air-
1.2 This test method is applicable to the quantitation of
borne Single-Crystal Ceramic Whiskers in the Workplace
fibers on a collection filter that are greater than 5 µm in length,
Environment by Phase Contrast Microscopy
less than 3 µm in width, and have an aspect ratio equal to or
D6058 Practice for Determining Concentration of Airborne
greater than 5:1. The data are directly convertible to a
Single-Crystal Ceramic Whiskers in the Workplace Envi-
statementofconcentrationperunitvolumeofairsampled.This
ronment
test method is limited by the diameter of the fibers visible by
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
SEM (typically greater than 0.10 to 0.25 µm in width as
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
determined in 12.1.5) and the amount of coincident interfer-
E766 Practice for Calibrating the Magnification of a Scan-
ence particles.
ning Electron Microscope
1.3 Amore definitive analysis may be necessary to confirm
the presence of fibers with diameters #0.10 to 0.25 µm in
3. Terminology
width. For this purpose, a transmission electron microscope
3.1 Definitions:
(TEM) is appropriate. The use of the TEM method for the
3.1.1 analytical sensitivity, n—airborne fiber concentration
identification and size measurement of SCCW is described in
represented by a single fiber counted in the SEM.
Practice D6058 and Test Method D6056.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Although the terms fiber and whisker
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
are, for convenience, used interchangeably in this test method,
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
whisker is correctly applied only to single-crystal fibers
only.
whereas a “fiber” may be single- or poly-crystalline or may be
noncrystalline.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace
2
Atmospheres. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2006. Published October 2006. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D6059 - 96 (2001). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6059-96R06. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6059–96 (2006)
3.1.2 aspect ratio, n—the ratio of the length of a fiber to its 6. Interferences
width.
6.1 This test method has been designed to filter air for the
3.1.3 fiber, n—for the purpose of this test method,an
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.