ASTM B215-15

Standard Practices for Sampling Metal Powders

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Specifications and test methods for metal powders and metal powder products require the sampling, testing, and performance evaluation of small samples taken from large quantities of powder. The sampling procedure is equally as important as the testing and evaluation; the sampling methods used must include every precaution to ensure that the samples obtained will show the true nature and condition of the large powder quantity that they represent.  
4.2 The primary objective of any sampling procedure is to obtain a small quantity of material that is truly representative of the larger amount from which it is taken, a condition that is readily comprehended but difficult to define, quantify, and prove. Certain criteria are desirable to meet this condition:3  
4.2.1 Every sampling increment should have a non-zero probability of being selected.  
4.2.2 All increments should have an equal probability of being selected.  
4.2.3 The sampling procedure should not alter the material (for example, by changing the particle size or chemical composition).  
4.3 Sampling a moving powder helps to satisfy these criteria; therefore, Practice 1A should be used whenever possible to obtain the composite sample. Similarly, Practice 2 should be used to obtain the test portions; use of a spinning riffler is preferred when possible and practicable.  
4.4 Although not always meeting all the criteria of 4.2.1 – 4.2.3, the other sampling practices described in this standard are based on time-proven experience in the PM industry in sampling granular metal powders. These practices have been shown to produce samples that give reliable and representative evaluation data.  
4.5 Since many tests are performed using very small amounts of powder meant to represent much larger quantities, it is most important that the test portions be obtained in a standardized manner. The practices described here take into account the possibility of segregation of the metal powder during and after filling of ...
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover sampling methods used to collect a small quantity of metal powder that is as representative of the entire starting material as possible, and details the procedures that are recommended for reducing this quantity into smaller test portions on which chemical, physical, and mechanical property data may be determined.  
1.2 Several sampling practices are described, depending on their applicability to the conditions of storage and transport of the sampled powders:  
1.2.1 Practice 1A (Described in Section 6)—Applicable to sampling moving powders, as when being transferred from one container to another or to a process stream; or when falling from a conveyor; or in a moving process stream. This is the preferred practice for obtaining the several increments that are combined to form the gross sample.  
1.2.2 Practice 1B (Described in Section 7)—Applicable to sampling powders that have already been packaged for transport, as in a bag or drum. A hollow tubular slot sampler is the recommended way to sample these packaged powders to obtain the increments (7.1.1). Alternatively, when other methods are not possible or available, a procedure specified here (7.1.2) may be used to randomly scoop samples from the powder, using a scoop of specified material and configuration.  
1.2.3 Practice 2 (Described in Section 8)—Applicable to obtaining test portions from the composite sample. For larger quantities of powder, a chute splitter is generally used, while a spinning riffler is used for smaller quantities.  
1.3 These practices apply to particulate materials or mixtures of particulates with particle sizes generally less than one millimetre and include mixtures containing lubricant, with or without other non-metallic additives, that are ready for compacting.  
1.4 These practices do not cover the sampling of flake powders or pastes. For procedures on the sampling and testing of flake metal powders and pastes,...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2015
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.02 - Base Metal Powders

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: B215 − 15
Standard Practices for
1
Sampling Metal Powders
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B215; 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* 1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.1 These practices cover sampling methods used to collect
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
asmallquantityofmetalpowderthatisasrepresentativeofthe
and are not considered standard.
entire starting material as possible, and details the procedures
that are recommended for reducing this quantity into smaller 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
test portions on which chemical, physical, and mechanical
property data may be determined. responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.2 Several sampling practices are described, depending on
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
their applicability to the conditions of storage and transport of
the sampled powders:
2. Referenced Documents
1.2.1 Practice 1A (Described in Section 6)—Applicable to
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
samplingmovingpowders,aswhenbeingtransferredfromone
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
container to another or to a process stream; or when falling
D480 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked
from a conveyor; or in a moving process stream. This is the
Aluminum Powders and Pastes
preferred practice for obtaining the several increments that are
combined to form the gross sample.
3. Terminology
1.2.2 Practice 1B (Described in Section 7)—Applicable to
sampling powders that have already been packaged for
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of powder metallurgy terms
transport, as in a bag or drum.Ahollow tubular slot sampler is
can be found in Terminology B243. Additional descriptive
the recommended way to sample these packaged powders to
information is available in the Related Materials section of Vol
obtain the increments (7.1.1). Alternatively, when other meth- 02.05 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
ods are not possible or available, a procedure specified here
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
(7.1.2) may be used to randomly scoop samples from the
3.2.1 See Fig. 1 for the terms hereinafter defined.
powder, using a scoop of specified material and configuration.
3.2.2 composite sample—blended entire gross sample.
1.2.3 Practice 2 (Described in Section 8)—Applicable to
3.2.3 increment—quantity of powder obtained by a sam-
obtaining test portions from the composite sample. For larger
pling device at one time from a larger quantity of powder.
quantities of powder, a chute splitter is generally used, while a
3.2.4 gross sample—total quantity of powder adequate for
spinning riffler is used for smaller quantities.
the intended purpose(s), consisting of all the increments
1.3 These practices apply to particulate materials or mix-
combined.
tures of particulates with particle sizes generally less than one
3.2.5 test portion—quantity of powder (generally taken
millimetre and include mixtures containing lubricant, with or
from the composite sample) on which the test is performed, or
without other non-metallic additives, that are ready for com-
from which a test piece is produced.
pacting.
1.4 These practices do not cover the sampling of flake
4. Significance and Use
powders or pastes. For procedures on the sampling and testing
4.1 Specifications and test methods for metal powders and
of flake metal powders and pastes, refer toTest Methods D480.
metal powder products require the sampling, testing, and
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
Powders and Metal Powder Products and are the direct responsibility of Subcom-
2
mittee B09.02 on Base Metal Powders. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published October 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as B215 – 10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/B0215-15. 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. U
...

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: B215 − 10 B215 − 15
Standard Practices for
1
Sampling Metal Powders
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B215; 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*
1.1 These practices cover sampling methods used to collect a small quantity of metal powder that is as representative of the
entire starting material as possible, and details the procedures that are recommended for reducing this quantity into smaller test
portions on which chemical, physical, and mechanical property data may be determined.
1.2 These practices describe two procedures for obtaining samples of metal powders for subsequent testing:Several sampling
practices are described, depending on their applicability to the conditions of storage and transport of the sampled powders:
1.2.1 Practice A—1A (Described in Section 6)—For powders Applicable to sampling moving powders, as when being
transferred from blenders or storage tanks.one container to another or to a process stream; or when falling from a conveyor; or in
a moving process stream. This is the preferred practice for obtaining the several increments that are combined to form the gross
sample.
1.2.2 Practice B—1B (Described in Section 7)—For powders already packaged in containers.Applicable to sampling powders
that have already been packaged for transport, as in a bag or drum. A hollow tubular slot sampler is the recommended way to
sample these packaged powders to obtain the increments (7.1.1). Alternatively, when other methods are not possible or available,
a procedure specified here (7.1.2) may be used to randomly scoop samples from the powder, using a scoop of specified material
and configuration.
1.2.3 Practice 2 (Described in Section 8)—Applicable to obtaining test portions from the composite sample. For larger
quantities of powder, a chute splitter is generally used, while a spinning riffler is used for smaller quantities.
1.3 These practices apply to particulate materials or mixtures of particulates with particle sizes generally less than one
millimetre and include mixtures containing lubricant, with or without other non-metallic additives, that are ready for compacting.
1.4 These practices do not cover the sampling of flake powders or pastes. For procedures on the sampling and testing of flake
metal powders and pastes, refer to Test Methods D480.
1.5 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.
1.6 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
D480 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked Aluminum Powders and Pastes
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of powder metallurgy terms can be found in Terminology B243. Additional descriptive information
is available in the Related Materials section of Vol 02.05 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B09.02 on Base Metal Powders.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2010Oct. 1, 2015. Published March 2011October 2015. Originally approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 20082010 as
B215 – 08.B215 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/B0215-10.10.1520/B0215-15.
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 ----------------------
B215 − 15
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 See
...