ASTM C1070-01(2020)

Standard Test Method for Determining Particle Size Distribution of Alumina or Quartz by Laser Light Scattering

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 It is important to recognize that the results obtained by this method or any other method for particle size distribution utilizing different physical principles may disagree. The results are strongly influenced by the physical principles employed by each method of particle size analysis. The results of any particle sizing method should be used only in a relative sense, and should not be regarded as absolute when comparing results obtained by other methods.  
4.2 Light scattering theory that is used for determination of particle size has been available for many years. Several manufacturers of testing equipment have units based on these principles. Although each type of testing equipment utilizes the same basic principles for light scattering as a function of particle size, different assumptions pertinent to applications of the theory and different models for converting light measurements to particle size may lead to different results for each instrument. Therefore, the use of this test method cannot guarantee directly comparable results from the various manufacturers' instruments.  
4.3 Manufacturers and purchasers of alumina and quartz will find the method useful to determine particle size distributions for materials specifications, manufacturing control, and research and development.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of particle size distribution of alumina or quartz using laser light-scattering instrumentation in the range from 0.1 to 500 μm.  
1.2 The procedure described in this test method may be applied to other nonplastic ceramic powders. It is at the discretion of the user to determine the method's applicability.  
1.3 This test method applies to analysis using aqueous dispersions.  
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 Quartz has been classified by IARC as a Group I carcinogen. For specific hazard information in handling this material, see the supplier's Material Safety Data Sheet.  
1.6 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: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2019
• ICS: 81.060.10 - Raw materials
• Technical Committee: C28 - Advanced Ceramics
• Drafting Committee: C28.03 - Physical Properties and Non-Destructive Evaluation

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1070-01(2014) - Standard Test Method for Determining Particle Size Distribution of Alumina or Quartz by Laser Light Scattering
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F1538-03(2017) - Standard Specification for Glass and Glass Ceramic Biomaterials for Implantation
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020

Overview

The ASTM C1070-01(2020) standard provides a widely accepted test method for determining the particle size distribution of alumina or quartz using laser light scattering. Developed by ASTM International, this test method covers particle size analysis within the range of 0.1 to 500 micrometers and is also applicable to other nonplastic ceramic powders, using aqueous dispersions. The standard offers guidance for manufacturers, quality control personnel, and researchers in accurately assessing the particle size distribution for critical industrial applications.

Key Topics

• Laser Light Scattering Technique: Utilizes the principles of Fraunhofer diffraction and Mie scattering to determine particle size distributions. Light is scattered as particles flow through a laser beam, and the resulting data is interpreted to generate particle size profiles.
• Relative Measurement: Results from this method or other sizing methods may differ due to varying physical principles and instrument models. This standard emphasizes using the results in a relative rather than absolute sense, especially when comparing data from different instruments or methods.
• Instrument Calibration: Proper calibration and maintenance of the laser light scattering instrument are essential for reliable results. Reference materials and diagnostics from instrument manufacturers help evaluate and optimize instrument performance.
• Sample Preparation: Ensuring a stable, bubble-free dispersion is critical. Appropriate dispersants, such as sodium metaphosphate, help maintain particles in suspension, while proper ultrasonic or mechanical mixing minimizes agglomeration and settling.
• Interference and Errors: The standard identifies potential sources of error, such as air bubbles, re-agglomeration, particle settling, incorrect sample loading, and electrical noise, and provides recommendations to mitigate these risks.
• Health & Safety: The document highlights important safety considerations, especially regarding quartz, which is classified as a Group I carcinogen by IARC. Users are advised to follow safety guidelines, consult Material Safety Data Sheets, and adhere to regulatory limitations.

Applications

The ASTM C1070-01(2020) standard is valuable across various sectors:

• Materials Specification: Used for certifying materials to ensure they meet required particle size distributions in specifications.
• Manufacturing Control: Enables real-time or periodic monitoring of process consistency, helping maintain product quality and reducing waste.
• Quality Assurance: Assists manufacturers in validating material properties for alumina, quartz, and other ceramic powders.
• Research and Development: Facilitates investigation into the relationships between particle size and material performance, supporting innovation in ceramic and advanced materials.
• Procurement & Supply Chain: Helps purchasers and suppliers of alumina and quartz communicate product requirements and verify compliance.
• Environmental and Safety Compliance: Assists in ensuring that test procedures are aligned with health, safety, and environmental practices.

Related Standards

• ASTM C690 - Standard Practice for Test Methods for Particle Size Distribution of Refractory Materials.
• ISO 13320 - Particle Size Analysis - Laser Diffraction Methods.
• ASTM C28 - Committee on Advanced Ceramics, under which C1070 falls.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - For handling potentially hazardous materials like quartz.

By adhering to ASTM C1070-01(2020), organizations can confidently evaluate and compare particle size distributions of alumina, quartz, and similar ceramic materials using laser light scattering, ensuring robust manufacturing, quality control, and research practices.

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: C1070 − 01 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Particle Size Distribution of Alumina or Quartz
by Laser Light Scattering
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1070; 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 usually applied to particles with diameters that are close to the
wavelength of the incident light. The real and the imaginary
1.1 This test method covers the determination of particle
indices of light diffraction are needed.
size distribution of alumina or quartz using laser light-
2.1.4 multiple scattering—the rescattering of light by a
scattering instrumentation in the range from 0.1 to 500 µm.
particle in the path of light scattered by another particle. This
1.2 The procedure described in this test method may be
may occur in heavy concentrations of a particle dispersion.
applied to other nonplastic ceramic powders. It is at the
discretion of the user to determine the method’s applicability.
3. Summary of Test Method
1.3 This test method applies to analysis using aqueous
3.1 Asample dispersed in an aqueous medium is circulated
dispersions.
through the path of a light beam.As the particles pass through
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the the light beam, the particles scatter light at angles inversely
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the proportional to their size and with an intensity directly propor-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- tional to their size. Detectors collect the scattered light which
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- is converted to electrical signals and analyzed in a micropro-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. cessor. The signal is converted to size distribution using
1.5 Quartz has been classified by IARC as a Group I Fraunhofer diffraction or Mie scattering, or a combination of
carcinogen. For specific hazard information in handling this both. The scattering information is then processed, assuming
material, see the supplier’s Material Safety Data Sheet. the particles to be spherical, using algorithms or models
proprietary to the particular instrument manufacturer. Calcu-
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
lated particle size distributions are presented as equivalent
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
spherical diameters.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Significance and Use
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 It is important to recognize that the results obtained by
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
this method or any other method for particle size distribution
2. Terminology utilizing different physical principles may disagree.The results
are strongly influenced by the physical principles employed by
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
each method of particle size analysis. The results of any
2.1.1 background—extraneous scattering of light by ele-
particle sizing method should be used only in a relative sense,
ments other than the particles to be measured. This includes
and should not be regarded as absolute when comparing results
scattering by contamination in the measurement zone.
obtained by other methods.
2.1.2 Fraunhofer diffraction—the optical theory that de-
4.2 Light scattering theory that is used for determination of
scribes the low-angle scattering of light by particles that are
particle size has been available for many years. Several
large compared to the wavelength of the incident light.
manufacturers of testing equipment have units based on these
2.1.3 Mie scattering—the complex electromagnetic theory
principles.Althougheachtypeoftestingequipmentutilizesthe
that describes the scattering of light by spherical particles. It is
same basic principles for light scattering as a function of
particle size, different assumptions pertinent to applications of
the theory and different models for converting light measure-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C28 on
ments to particle size may lead to different results for each
Advanced Ceramics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C28.03 on
Physical Properties and Non-Destructive Evaluation.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020. Published January 2020. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1070 – 01 (2014). Muly, E. C. and Frock, H. W., “Industrial Particle Size Measurement Using
DOI: 10.1520/C1070-01R20. Light Scattering,” Optical Engineering, Vol 19, No. 6, 1990, pp. 861–69.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1070 − 01 (2020)
instrument. Therefore, the use of this test method cannot 8. Calibration and Standardization
guarantee directly comparable results from the various manu-
8.1 Performance of the instrument is defined by the spacing
facturers’ instruments.
and position of the optical components. Refer to the manufac-
4.3 Manufacturers and purchasers of alumina and quartz
turer’s instruction manual.
will find the method useful to determine particle size distribu-
8.2 Diagnostic materials should be available from the in-
tions for materials specifications, manufacturing control, and
strument manufacturer to ensure consistent instrument func-
research and development.
tioning.
5. Interferences
8.3 Since no absolute standards are available for particle
5.1 Air bubbles entrained in the circulating fluid will scatter
size analysis, it is recommended that one should develop a
light and then be reported as particles. Circulating fluids do not secondary reference material to assist in evaluating and opti-
require degassing, but should be bubble-free upon visual
mizing instrument performance.
inspection.
9. Procedure
5.2 Re-agglomeration or settling of particles during analy-
ses may cause erroneous results. Stable dispersions shall be
9.1 Allow the instrument to warm up for the time recom-
maintained throughout the analyses.To determine if stability is
mended by the instrume
...