ASTM E562-19

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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).3  
5.2 This test method has been described  (4) as being superior to other manual methods with regard to effort, bias, and simplicity.  
5.3 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.  
5.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Aug-2019
• ICS: 77.040.99 - Other methods of testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E04 - Metallography
• Drafting Committee: E04.14 - Quantitative Metallography

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E562-19e1 - Standard Test Method for Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point Count
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2019

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 −19
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 E407Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.1 This test method describes a systematic manual point
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
counting procedure for statistically estimating the volume
E1245Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-
fraction of an identifiable constituent or phase from sections
Phase Constituent Content of Metals byAutomatic Image
through the microstructure by means of a point grid.
Analysis
1.2 The use of automatic image analysis to determine the
volume fraction of constituents is described in Practice E1245.
3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
practice, see Terminology E7.
standard.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 point count—the total number of points in a test grid
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
that fall within the microstructural feature of interest, or on the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
featureboundary;forthelatter,eachtestpointontheboundary
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
is one half a point.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.2 point fraction—the ratio, usually expressed as a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- percentage, of the point count of the phase or constituent of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
interest on the two-dimensional image of an opaque specimen
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- tothenumberofgridpoints,whichisaveragedover nfieldsto
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
produce an unbiased estimate of the volume fraction of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. phase or constituent.
3.2.3 stereology—themethodsdevelopedtoobtaininforma-
2. Referenced Documents
tion about the three-dimensional characteristics of microstruc-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tures based upon measurements made on two-dimensional
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
sections through a solid material or their projection on a
E7Terminology Relating to Metallography
surface.
3.2.4 test grid—a transparent sheet or eyepiece reticle with
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on
a regular pattern of lines or crosses that is superimposed over
Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.14 on Quanti-
themicrostructuralimageforcountingmicrostructuralfeatures
tative Metallography.
of interest.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E562–11. DOI:
3.2.5 volume fraction—the total volume of a phase or
10.1520/E0562-19.
2
constituent per unit volume of specimen, generally expressed
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
as a percentage.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 3.3 Symbols:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E562−19
TABLE 1 95% Confidence Interval Multipliers
an unbiased statistical estimation of the volume fraction of an
3
No. of Fields n t No. of Fields n t identifiable constituent or phase (1, 2, 3).
5 2.776 19 2.101
5.2 This test method has been described (4) as being
6 2.571 20 2.093
superior to other manual methods with regard to effort, bias,
7 2.447 21 2.086
8 2.365 22 2.080
and simplicity.
9 2.306 23 2.074
10 2.262 24 2.069 5.3 Any number of clearly distinguishable constituents or
11 2.228 25 2.064
phases within a microstructure (or macrostructure) can be
12 2.201
...

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: E562 − 11 E562 − 19
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.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
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.
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, 2011Aug. 15, 2019. Published October 2011September 2019. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20082011
ε1
as E562 – 08E562 . –11. DOI: 10.1520/E0562-11.10.1520/E0562-19.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E562 − 19
TABLE 1 95 % Confidence Interval Multipliers
No. of Fields n t No. of Fields n t
5 2.776 19 2.101
6 2.571 20 2.093
7 2.447 21 2.086
8 2.365 22 2.080
9 2.306 23 2.074
10 2.262 24 2.069
11 2.228 25 2.064
12 2.201 26 2.060
13 2.179 27 2.056
14 2.160 28 2.052
15 2.145 29 2.048
16 2.131 30 2.045
17 2.120 40 2.020
18 2.110 60 2.000
` 1.960
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 featur
...