ASTM E562-11

Standard Test Method for Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point Count

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is based upon the stereological principle that a grid with a number of regularly arrayed points, when systematically placed over an image of a two-dimensional section through the microstructure, can provide, after a representative number of placements on different fields, an unbiased statistical estimation of the volume fraction of an identifiable constituent or phase (1, 2, 3).  
This test method has been described  (4) as being superior to other manual methods with regard to effort, bias, and simplicity.
Any number of clearly distinguishable constituents or phases within a microstructure (or macrostructure) can be counted using the method. Thus, the method can be applied to any type of solid material from which adequate two-dimensional sections can be prepared and observed.  
A condensed step-by-step guide for using the method is given in Annex A1.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a systematic manual point counting procedure for statistically estimating the volume fraction of an identifiable constituent or phase from sections through the microstructure by means of a point grid.
1.2 The use of automatic image analysis to determine the volume fraction of constituents is described in Practice E1245.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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-2011
• ICS: 77.040.99 - Other methods of testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E04 - Metallography
• Drafting Committee: E04.14 - Quantitative Metallography

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E562-08e1 - Standard Test Method for Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point Count
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM A1021/A1021M-20 - Standard Specification for Martensitic Stainless Steel Forgings and Forging Stock for High-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM A995/A995M-20 - Standard Specification for Castings, Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex) Stainless Steel, for Pressure-Containing Parts
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D2799-23 - Standard Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Maceral Composition of Coal
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E112-13(2021) - Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D4616-95(2018) - Standard Test Method for Microscopical Analysis by Reflected Light and Determination of Mesophase in a Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1382-97(2023) - Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size Using Semiautomatic and Automatic Image Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F755-19 - Standard Specification for Selection of Porous Polyethylene for Use in Surgical Implants
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM A800/A800M-20 - Standard Practice for Estimating Ferrite Content of Stainless Steel Castings Containing Both Ferrite and Austenite
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1181-02(2023) - Standard Test Methods for Characterizing Duplex Grain Sizes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2109-01(2021) - Standard Test Methods for Determining Area Percentage Porosity in Thermal Sprayed Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F561-19 - Standard Practice for Retrieval and Analysis of Medical Devices, and Associated Tissues and Fluids
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM A874/A874M-98(2022) - Standard Specification for Ferritic Ductile Iron Castings Suitable for Low-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM A565/A565M-10(2017)e1 - Standard Specification for Martensitic Stainless Steel Bars for High-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B848/B848M-21 - Standard Specification for Powder Forged (PF) Ferrous Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011

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:E562 −11
Standard Test Method for
Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point
1
Count
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E562; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method may be used to determine the volume fraction of constituents in an opaque
specimen using a polished, planar cross section by the manual point count procedure. The same
measurements can be achieved using image analysis per Practice E1245.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method describes a systematic manual point
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
counting procedure for statistically estimating the volume
practice, see Terminology E7.
fraction of an identifiable constituent or phase from sections
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
through the microstructure by means of a point grid.
3.2.1 point count—the total number of points in a test grid
1.2 The use of automatic image analysis to determine the
that fall within the microstructural feature of interest, or on the
volume fraction of constituents is described in Practice E1245.
featureboundary;forthelatter,eachtestpointontheboundary
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as is one half a point.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2.2 point fraction—the ratio, usually expressed as a
standard.
percentage, of the point count of the phase or constituent of
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
interest on the two-dimensional image of an opaque specimen
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tothenumberofgridpoints,whichisaveragedover nfieldsto
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
produce an unbiased estimate of the volume fraction of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
phase or constituent.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.3 stereology—themethodsdevelopedtoobtaininforma-
tion about the three-dimensional characteristics of microstruc-
2. Referenced Documents
tures based upon measurements made on two-dimensional
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sections through a solid material or their projection on a
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
surface.
E7Terminology Relating to Metallography
3.2.4 test grid—a transparent sheet or eyepiece reticle with
E407Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
a regular pattern of lines or crosses that is superimposed over
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
themicrostructuralimageforcountingmicrostructuralfeatures
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
of interest.
E1245Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-
Phase Constituent Content of Metals byAutomatic Image
3.2.5 volume fraction—the total volume of a phase or
Analysis
constituent per unit volume of specimen, generally expressed
as a percentage.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on
3.3 Symbols:
Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.14 on Quanti-
tative Metallography.
P = total number of points in the test grid.
T
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally
th
P = point count on the i field.
ε1
i
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E562–08 . DOI:
P
P (i) = i
10.1520/E0562-11. P
31005 percentage of grid points, in the
2
P
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
T
th
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
constituent observed on the i field.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
n = number of fields counted.
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E562−11
TABLE 1 95% Confidence Interval Multipliers
5.2 This test method has been described (4) as being
No. of Fields n t No. of Fields n t superior to other manual methods with regard to effort, bias,
5 2.776 19 2.101 and simplicity.
6 2.571 20 2.093
5.3 Any number of clearly distinguishable constituents or
7 2.447 21 2.086
8 2.365 22 2.080
phases within a microstructure (or macrostructure) can be
9 2.306 23 2.074
counted using the method. Thus, the method can be applied to
10 2.262 24 2.069
any type of solid material from which adequate two-
11 2.228 25 2.064
12 2.201 26 2.060
dimensional sections can be prepared and observed.
13 2.179 27 2.056
14 2.160 28 2.052
5.4 Acondensed step-by-step guide f
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E562–08 Designation: E562 – 11
Standard Test Method for
Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point
1
Count
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E562; 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
´ NOTE—A1.10 was editorially corrected in August 2011.
INTRODUCTION
This test method may be used to determine the volume fraction of constituents in an opaque
specimen using a polished, planar cross section by the manual point count procedure. The same
measurements can be achieved using image analysis per Practice E1245.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a systematic manual point counting procedure for statistically estimating the volume fraction of
an identifiable constituent or phase from sections through the microstructure by means of a point grid.
1.2 The use of automatic image analysis to determine the volume fraction of constituents is described in Practice E1245.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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:
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
E407 Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E1245 Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-Phase Constituent Content of Metals by Automatic Image Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, see Terminology E7.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 point count—the total number of points in a test grid that fall within the microstructural feature of interest, or on the
feature boundary; for the latter, each test point on the boundary is one half a point.
3.2.2 point fraction—the ratio, usually expressed as a percentage, of the point count of the phase or constituent of interest on
the two-dimensional image of an opaque specimen to the number of grid points, which is averaged over n fields to produce an
unbiased estimate of the volume fraction of the phase or constituent.
3.2.3 stereology—the methods developed to obtain information about the three-dimensional characteristics of microstructures
based upon measurements made on two-dimensional sections through a solid material or their projection on a surface.
3.2.4 test grid—a transparent sheet or eyepiece reticle with a regular pattern of lines or crosses that is superimposed over the
microstructural image for counting microstructural features of interest.
3.2.5 volume fraction—the total volume of a phase or constituent per unit volume of specimen, generally expressed as a
percentage.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.14 on Quantitative
Metallography.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008.2011. Published November 2008.October 2011. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20052008 as
´1
E562–05E562 – 08 . DOI: 10.1520/E0562-08E01. DOI: 10.1520/E0562-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E562 – 11
3.3 Symbols:
P = total number of points in the test grid.
T
th
P = point count on the i field.
i
P
P (i) =
i
P th
3 100 = percentage of grid points, in the constituent observed on the i field.
P
T
n = number of fields counted.
n
¯
1
P =
p
P ~i! = arithmetic average of P (i).
( p p
n
i 5 1
s = estimate of the standard deviation (s) (see (Eq 3) in Section 10).
95 % CI = 95 % confidence interval
= 6ts/ n (see Note 1).
=
t = a multiplier related to the number of fields examined
...