ASTM B311-13

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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.  
5.2 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 the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram per cubic centimeter (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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2013
• 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 B311-08 - Standard Test Method for Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1331-18 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Advanced Ceramics with Broadband Pulse-Echo Cross-Correlation Method
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM B777-15(2020) - Standard Specification for Tungsten Base, High-Density Metal
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F3056-14(2021) - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing Nickel Alloy (UNS N06625) with Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F3055-14a(2021) - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing Nickel Alloy (UNS N07718) with Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F3273-17(2021)e1 - Standard Specification for Wrought Molybdenum-47.5 Rhenium Alloy for Surgical Implants (UNS R03700)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM B883-19 - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded (MIM) Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM B832-93(2018) - Standard Guide for Electroforming with Nickel and Copper
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• 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-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2886-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Cobalt-28Chromium-6Molybdenum Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• 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-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM B853-16(2021)e1 - Standard Specification for Powder Metallurgy (PM) Boron Stainless Steel Structural Components
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2989-21 - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Unalloyed Titanium Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F3637-23 - Standard Guide for Additive Manufacturing of Metal — Finished Part Properties — Methods for Relative Density Measurement
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM B848/B848M-21 - Standard Specification for Powder Forged (PF) Ferrous Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013

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 − 13
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* available in the Related Material section of Vol. 02.05 of the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for
powder metallurgy (PM) materials containing less than two
4. Summary of Test Method
percentporosityandforcementedcarbides.Thistestmethodis
4.1 Using an analytical balance, the test specimen is first
based on the water displacement method.
weighed in air and then in water. The density is determined by
NOTE 1—A test specimen that gains mass when immersed in water
calculation using Archimedes’ principle.
indicates the specimen contains surface-connected porosity. Unsealed
surfaceporositywillabsorbwaterandcausedensityvalueshigherthanthe
true value. This test method is not applicable if this problem occurs. 5. Significance and Use
1.2 With the exception of the values for density and the
5.1 For PM materials containing less than two percent
mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram
porosity, a density measurement may be used to determine if
3
per cubic centimeter (g/cm ) and gram (g) units is the long-
the part has been densified, either overall or in a critical region,
standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be
to the degree required for the intended application. Density
regarded as standard.
alone cannot be used for evaluating the degree of densification
because chemical composition and heat treatment affect the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pore-free density.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.2 For cemented carbides, a density measurement is nor-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
mally used to determine if there is any significant deviation in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
composition of the carbide grade. For straight tungsten
carbide-cobalt grades, the relationship is straightforward. For
2. Referenced Documents
complex carbide grades (for example, grades containing tan-
2
talum carbide or titanium carbide, or both, in addition to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tungsten carbide-cobalt), the situation is more complicated. If
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
the measured density is beyond the specified limits, the
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
composition is outside of the specified limits. A measured
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
density within the specified limits does not ensure correct
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
composition; compensation between two or more constituents
could result in the expected density with the wrong composi-
3. Terminology
tion. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating a cemented
3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be
carbide grade.
found in Terminology B243.Additional descriptive material is
6. Apparatus
6.1 AnalyticalBalance—precisionsingle-pananalyticalbal-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
ance that will permit readings within 0.01% of the test
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee B09.11 on Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials.
specimen mass. The analytical balance shall be supported in a
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published June 2013. Originally
manner to eliminate mechanical vibrations and be shielded
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as B311 – 08. DOI:
from air drafts. See Table 1.
10.1520/B0311-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.2 Weighing Liquid—Distilled or deionized water to which
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
0.05 to 0.1 volume percent of a wetting agent has been added
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. to reduce the effects of surface tension.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B311 − 13
TABLE 1 Balance Sensitivity
6.4 Test Specim
...

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: B311 − 08 B311 − 13
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. 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, the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the g/cmuse
3
of the gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm unit ) and gram (g) units is the long-standing industry standard,practice, 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.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 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
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
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. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be found in Terminology B243. Additional descriptive material is
available in the Related Material section of Vol. 02.05 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Using an analytical balance, the test specimen is first weighed in air and then in water. The density is determined by
calculation using Archimedes’ principle.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 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.
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 B09.11
on Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2008April 1, 2013. Published January 2009June 2013. Originally approved in 1956 . 1956. Last previous edition approved in 20022008
ε1
as B311 – 93B311 – 08.(2002) . DOI: 10.1520/B0311-08.10.1520/B0311-13.
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B311 − 13
5.2 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 situat
...