ASTM C1182-09(2019)

Standard Test Method for Determining the Particle Size Distribution of Alumina by Centrifugal Photosedimentation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Manufacturers and users of alumina powders will find this test method useful to determine the particle size distribution of these materials for product specification, quality control, and research and development testing.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle size distribution of alumina in the range from 0.1 to 20 μm having a median particle diameter from 0.5 to 5.0 μm.  
1.2 The procedure described in this test method may be successfully applied to other ceramic powders in this general size range. It is the responsibility of the user to determine the applicability of this test method to other material.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2019
• ICS: 81.060.10 - Raw materials
• Technical Committee: C21 - Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Drafting Committee: C21.04 - Raw Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1182-09(2014) - Standard Test Method for Determining the Particle Size Distribution of Alumina by Centrifugal Photosedimentation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM C242-20 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM C242-19a - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM C242-19 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM C242-18 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM C242-15 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• 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 C242-14 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2014
• 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 C242-12 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• 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
• Refers: ASTM E177-10 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM E177-08 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E691-08 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008

Overview

ASTM C1182-09(2019) is the internationally recognized standard test method for determining the particle size distribution of alumina (Al₂O₃) powders using centrifugal photosedimentation. Developed by ASTM International Committee C21, this standard is critical for manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and researchers involved in the production and utilization of alumina and similar ceramic powders. The method covers particle size ranges from 0.1 to 20 micrometers, with median diameters between 0.5 and 5.0 micrometers.

This test method enables precise evaluation of particle size distribution, ensuring that alumina powders meet product specifications and quality standards. The method is primarily intended for alumina but can also be applied to other ceramic powders within this size range, provided its applicability is separately verified.

Key Topics

• Test Method Scope: Addresses alumina powders in the 0.1-20 μm range, ensuring reliable, repeatable, and reproducible analyses.
• Centrifugal Photosedimentation: Utilizes a centrifugal particle size distribution analyzer, creating a homogeneous dispersion of the sample for optical absorbance measurement during sedimentation.
• Sample Preparation: Involves dispersing alumina powder in a sodium hexametaphosphate solution, followed by ultrasonic treatment and magnetic stirring to ensure uniformity.
• Analytical Procedure:
  • Samples are analyzed in specialized cells subjected to controlled centrifugal acceleration.
  • A visible light beam records photosedimentation profiles at set intervals to calculate volume-based particle size distribution.
• Data Presentation: Printouts provide permanent records of test conditions, graphical size distributions, and cumulative tables for product specification and research analysis.
• Precision and Reproducibility: Offers guideline figures for within-laboratory repeatability (3.56%) and between-laboratory reproducibility (9.92%).
• Standardization Principles: Developed under World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) established guidelines.

Applications

The ASTM C1182-09(2019) test method is widely used across industries that rely on precise control of alumina particle size distribution, such as:

• Product Quality and Specification: Ensures that alumina powders conform to stringent customer and regulatory requirements.
• Manufacturing and Process Control: Facilitates on-going monitoring of particle size during production, helping to optimize sintering, compaction, and end-product performance.
• Research and Development: Supports materials scientists in developing new ceramic materials or enhancing existing ones by providing robust particle size data.
• Ceramic and Technical Powder Industries: Applicable to other ceramic powders, supporting flexibility and agility in materials testing workflows.

Benefits of using ASTM C1182-09(2019) include:

• Enhanced accuracy and reproducibility in particle size analysis
• Standardized procedures for evaluating product consistency
• Ability to compare results across laboratories using compatible methods

Related Standards

For broader context and enhanced compliance, consider these related ASTM standards and resources:

• ASTM C242 - Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• ASTM E691 - Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• ASTM E177 - Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

Utilizing ASTM C1182-09(2019) establishes a reliable foundation for particle size testing of alumina, advancing consistency in product specification, quality control, and research throughout the ceramics and advanced materials industries.

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: C1182 − 09 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Particle Size Distribution of Alumina by
Centrifugal Photosedimentation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1182; 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. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle 3.1 Definitions:
size distribution of alumina in the range from 0.1 to 20 µm 3.1.1 Refer to Terminology C242 for definitions of terms
having a median particle diameter from 0.5 to 5.0 µm. used in this test method.
1.2 The procedure described in this test method may be
4. Summary of Test Method
successfully applied to other ceramic powders in this general
4.1 A homogeneous aqueous dispersion of the powder is
size range. It is the responsibility of the user to determine the
prepared. While kept in a thoroughly mixed condition, a small
applicability of this test method to other material.
aliquot is transferred to the analyzer sample cell, which is
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to regarded as the
placed in the instrument and subjected to a controlled centrifu-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
gal acceleration at a known or controlled temperature. At
only.
predetermined times related to the sedimentation of specific
Stokes’ diameters (Note 1), the optical absorbance is recorded
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and ratioed to the initial value to determine the fraction of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
total sample that has sedimented a specific distance.Avolume
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
based size distribution is calculated from the absorbance-time
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
data. Since alumina particles are not truly spherical, the results
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
are reported as equivalent diameters (spherical) (Note 2).
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
NOTE 1—This diameter in micrometres is referred to as D in the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
equation:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
18 n ~H/t!
2 8
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
D 5 310 (1)
ρ 2 ρ u
~ !
s f
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
where:
2. Referenced Documents
n = viscosity of the fluid, P,
H = height of the settling particles, cm,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
t = time for particle to settle, s,
C242 Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related
ρ = particle density, g/cm ,
s
Products
ρ = fluid density, g/cm , and
f
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
u = the rotational velocity, cm/s.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
NOTE 2—Refer to Terminology C242 for the ASTM definition of this
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
term. Most equipment manufacturers refer to this as the equivalent
ASTM Test Methods
spherical diameter.
4.2 The instruments that have been found suitable for this
test method incorporate microcomputers that control instru-
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC21onCeramic
ment operation and perform all required data acquisition and
Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
computation functions.
C21.04 on Raw Materials.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally
5. Significance and Use
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1182 – 09 (2014).
DOI: 10.1520/C1182-09R19.
5.1 Manufacturers and users of alumina powders will find
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
this test method useful to determine the particle size distribu-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
tion of these materials for product specification, quality
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. control, and research and development testing.
*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
C1182 − 09 (2019)
6. Apparatus sample) and place into a 250-mL beaker. If the sample is
received in a plastic or glass vial containing about 1 g
6.1 Centrifugal Particle Size Distribution Analyzer—The
(60.25 g), transfer the entire contents to the 250-mL beaker.
analyzer shall incorporate a centrifuge capable of subjecting a
Add 200 mLof 0.1 % sodium hexametaphosphate solution and
homogeneous dispersion of the sample to centrifugal accelera-
mix well by stirring. Disperse by either of the following
tion in specially designed sample cells. A collimated beam of
methods:
visible light (either monochromatic or broad-band) shall tra-
8.1.1.1 Ultrasonic Bath—Place the beaker in the bath with
verse the sample cell at a defined distance from the top of the
the bottom of the beaker suspended above the bottom of the
cell. The change in photo extinction resulting from sedimen-
bath. In the ideal position, the top of the fluid in the beaker is
tation of the sample shall be measured by a photo detector and
even with the liquid level in the bath. Apply ultrasonic energy
appropriate electronic circuits, and used to calculate the
for 15 min with frequent stirring. Remove beaker from bath.
volume-based sized distribution of the sample.
8.1.1.2 Ultrasonic Probe—Insert the probe into the beaker
6.2 Ultrasonic Probe, consisting of power unit, ultrasonic
containing the sample and apply power for 30 s. Make sure the
transducer, and 13-mm ( ⁄2-in.) diameter probe, 200 to 250 W.
sample is well suspended during this step. Remove probe from
6.3 Ultrasonic Water Bath, power density approximately the beaker.
8.1.2 Add a 25-mm (1-in.) stirring bar to the beaker and
0.3 W⁄cm (2W/in. ).
place on a magnetic stirrer. Stir for approximately 3 min in a
6.4 Balance, top-loading, accurate to 60.1 g.
cold water bath to bring the sample to ambient temperature.
6.5 Stirrer, magnetic, with 25-mm (1-in.) and 19-mm ( ⁄4-
Continue stirring at constant temperature.
in.) stirring bars.
NOTE 4—The concentration of the sample may require dilution with
6.6 Thermometer, 0 to 50 °C, accurate to 0.5 °C. May also
0.1 % sodium hexametaphosphate solution to meet the optical absorbance
be an electronic temperature measuring device, properly tolerance specified in the instrument operating manual. Thorough mixing
must accompany any dilution of the sample.
calibrated, that meets the given specifications.
8.2 Analyzer Preparation:
6.7 Sample Cells, as supplied by the instrument manufac-
8.2.1 To warm up the analyzer, apply power a minimum of
turer.
10 min prior to testing. Conduct the warm-up with the sample
7. Reagents compartment closed. Make certain t
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