ASTM D4058-96(2020)

Standard Test Method for Attrition and Abrasion of Catalysts and Catalyst Carriers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is considered to be a measure of the propensity of a catalyst to produce fines in the course of transportation, handling, and use. However, there is no absolute level of acceptability. The values obtained are significant principally in relation to values for other materials (or other samples of the same material) of comparable size.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the attrition and abrasion resistance of catalysts and catalyst carriers. It is applicable to tablets, extrudate, spheres, and irregularly shaped particles larger than about 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) and smaller than about 3/4 in. (19 mm). The materials used in developing the method exhibited losses on attrition less than 7 %; however, the method should be applicable to materials giving much higher attritions.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 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: 14-May-2020
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D32 - Catalysts
• Drafting Committee: D32.02 - Physical-Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4058-96(2015) - Standard Test Method for Attrition and Abrasion of Catalysts and Catalyst Carriers
• Effective Date: 15-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM E456-13a(2022)e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2022
• Refers: ASTM E456-13A(2017)e3 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM E456-13A(2017)e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM E177-14 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM E456-13ae3 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E456-13ae2 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E456-13a - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E456-13ae1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E456-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2013
• Refers: ASTM E691-13 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM E177-13 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM E456-12e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM E456-12 - Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM E691-11 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011

Overview

ASTM D4058-96(2020), “Standard Test Method for Attrition and Abrasion of Catalysts and Catalyst Carriers,” is a key international standard established by ASTM for evaluating the physical durability of catalysts and catalyst carriers. This test method measures the attrition and abrasion resistance of catalyst materials, providing an indication of their ability to withstand handling and use without generating excessive fines. It is applicable to a range of particle shapes - including tablets, extrudates, spheres, and irregularly shaped particles - with sizes between approximately 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) and 3/4 in. (19 mm).

The results obtained are primarily significant for comparing different materials or different samples of the same material. There is no universal pass/fail threshold, making this test method essential for quality control and specification among catalyst users and producers.

Key Topics

• Attrition and Abrasion Measurement: Defines a procedure to quantify the extent of material loss due to particle-to-particle and particle-to-wall contact during transportation, handling, and operational use.
• Applicable Sample Types: Covers a wide range of catalyst forms, such as pellets, tablets, spheres, and irregular shapes, provided they fall within specified size limits.
• Testing Procedure: Involves rotating a sample in a specialized cylindrical drum with a baffle for a set number of revolutions, followed by sieving to determine the percentage of fines produced.
• Result Reporting: Emphasizes the comparative nature of results, useful primarily for benchmarking materials against each other.
• Precision and Bias: Incorporates robustness through repeatability and reproducibility assessments, referencing applicable ASTM guidelines for laboratory best practices.
• Safety and Compliance: Reminds users to establish proper safety, health, and environmental protocols and consider regulatory requirements.

Applications

The ASTM D4058 standard is widely applied in the chemical processing industry, petrochemical plants, and laboratories, providing practical value in several scenarios:

• Quality Control: Assures producers and users of catalysts that the physical integrity of their products meets required handling and operational conditions.
• R&D and Product Comparison: Enables researchers and manufacturers to compare the performance of new or alternative catalyst formulations regarding resistance to mechanical degradation.
• Specification and Procurement: Allows buyers to specify maximum allowable attrition or abrasion loss for catalysts to reduce downtime and operational inefficiencies caused by fine generation.
• Process Optimization: Helps engineers and plant operators understand which catalyst materials are best suited to their processes, minimizing loss and improving reliability.

Routine use of this method improves product consistency, operational efficiency, and safety by minimizing unwanted catalyst breakdown, which can harm process performance and increase maintenance needs.

Related Standards

The following ASTM standards and international guidelines complement or are frequently referenced alongside ASTM D4058:

• ASTM E177 - Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• ASTM E456 - Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
• ASTM E691 - Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

This standard aligns with the internationally recognized principles established by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, ensuring global acceptance and harmonized application of test results.

Keywords: catalyst attrition, catalyst abrasion, catalyst carrier durability, catalyst testing, ASTM D4058, fines generation, industrial catalyst quality, petrochemical catalyst evaluation, international standard, physical properties of catalysts

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: D4058 − 96 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Attrition and Abrasion of Catalysts and Catalyst Carriers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4058; 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 3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 A sample of catalyst or catalyst carrier is rotated for a
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the attri-
fixed number of revolutions in a cylindrical drum having a
tion and abrasion resistance of catalysts and catalyst carriers. It
single baffle. Fines produced by attrition and abrasion in the
is applicable to tablets, extrudate, spheres, and irregularly
test are determined by sieving through a standard sieve.
shaped particles larger than about ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) and smaller
than about ⁄4 in. (19 mm). The materials used in developing
4. Significance and Use
the method exhibited losses on attrition less than 7 %;
however, the method should be applicable to materials giving
4.1 This test method is considered to be a measure of the
much higher attritions.
propensity of a catalyst to produce fines in the course of
transportation, handling, and use. However, there is no abso-
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
lute level of acceptability. The values obtained are significant
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
principally in relation to values for other materials (or other
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
samples of the same material) of comparable size.
and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Apparatus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 A cylindrical drum with inside dimensions of 10 in.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(254 mm) diameter and 6 in. (152 mm) long with a single
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
radial baffle 2 in. (51 mm) high extending the full length of the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cylinder. A lid shall be provided and secured to the container
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
withAllen-headscrews,wingnutsorothersuitablemeansasto
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ensure that no fines escape during the test. The inside of the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
drum should have a surface roughness no greater than about
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
250 µin. (6.4 µm). (The roughness of cold-rolled steel or a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
smooth grind on a lathe is satisfactory.) A suitable design is
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
shown in Fig. 1.
5.2 Any convenient means of rotation, such as a ball mill
2. Referenced Documents
roller, geared to give the desired rate of rotation of the drum.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in 6. Sampling
ASTM Test Methods
6.1 Obtain a representative sample of about 110 g of the
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
material to be tested by gently splitting or quartering. Any
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
sampling technique requiring extensive agitation or handling
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
willcausesomeattritionand,therefore,compromisetheresults
of the test.
6.2 Gently sieve the sample on a No. 20 (850-µm) ASTM
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D32 on
sieve.
Catalysts and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D32.02 on Physical-
Mechanical Properties.
6.3 Transfer the presieved sample to a widemouthed con-
Current edition approved May 15, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally
tainer tared to the nearest 0.01 g.
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D4058 – 96(2015).
DOI: 10.1520/D4058-96R20.
6.4 Dry the presieved sample in air for3hat400°C.Itmay
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
be necessary to modify or eliminate this step when testing
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
materials that might be decomposed or drastically altered by
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the drying conditions.
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