ASTM F311-97

Standard Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the processing of liquids in preparation for particulate contamination analysis using membrane filters and is limited only by the liquid-to-membrane filter compatibility.  
1.2 The practice covers the procedure for filtering a measured volume of liquid through a membrane filter. When this practice is used, the particulate matter will be randomly distributed on the filter surface for subsequent contamination analysis methods.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1991
• Technical Committee: E21 - Space Simulation and Applications of Space Technology
• Drafting Committee: E21.05 - Contamination

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F311-97(2002) - Standard Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D4174-23 - Standard Practice for Cleaning, Flushing, and Purification of Petroleum Fluid Hydraulic Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM F312-08(2023) - Standard Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM F331-13(2020) - Standard Test Method for Nonvolatile Residue of Solvent Extract from Aerospace Components (Using Flash Evaporator)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM F310-07(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling Cryogenic Aerospace Fluids
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM F3335-20 - Standard Guide for Assessing the Removal of Additive Manufacturing Residues in Medical Devices Fabricated by Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM D6224-22 - Standard Practice for In-Service Monitoring of Lubricating Oil for Auxiliary Power Plant Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM F302-09(2021) - Standard Practice for Field Sampling of Aerospace Fluids in Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM F303-08(2023)e1 - Standard Practices for Sampling for Particles in Aerospace Fluids and Components
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM D6439-23 - Standard Guide for Cleaning, Flushing, and Purification of Steam, Gas, and Hydroelectric Turbine Lubrication Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM D4378-22 - Standard Practice for In-Service Monitoring of Mineral Turbine Oils for Steam, Gas, and Combined Cycle Turbines
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM F309-18 - Standard Practice for Liquid Sampling of Noncryogenic Aerospace Propellants
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992
• Referred By: ASTM G131-96(2023)e1 - Standard Practice for Cleaning of Materials and Components by Ultrasonic Techniques
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 311 – 97
Standard Practice for
Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate
Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 311; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
1.1 This practice covers the processing of liquids in prepa-
3. Terminology Definition
ration for particulate contamination analysis using membrane
3.1 filtered liquid dispenser—as used in this practice, a
filters and is limited only by the liquid-to-membrane filter
dispenser capable of delivering rinse liquid through a filter with
compatibility.
pore size no larger than half the size of the smallest particle
1.2 The practice covers the procedure for filtering a mea-
being considered for measurement.
sured volume of liquid through a membrane filter. When this
practice is used, the particulate matter will be randomly
4. Significance and Use
distributed on the filter surface for subsequent contamination
4.1 This practice provides for the processing of liquid
analysis methods.
samples obtained in accordance with Practice F 302 and
1.3 The practice describes procedures to allow handling
Practices F 303. It will provide the optimum sample processing
particles in the size range between 2 and 50 μm with minimum
for visual contamination methods such as Method F 312, and
losses during handling.
Test Method F 314.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Apparatus and Materials
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 Filtration Funnel—The funnel opening in contact with
D 287 Test Method for API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and
the membrane shall be approximately 35.0 mm in inside
Petroleum Products (Hydrometer Method)
diameter. The effective area shall be calibrated. If the funnel is
D 1078 Test Method for Distillation Range of Volatile
3 to be used for measuring the sample volume, the funnel shall
Organic Liquids
4 be calibrated within 62 % of the required volume.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
5.2 Membrane Filter Support—Either a fritted-glass,
D 1353 Test Method for Nonvolatile Matter in Volatile
sintered-metal, or stainless steel screen may be used. The
Solvents for Use in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related
3 support shall be so designed as to enable attachment to a
Products
3 vacuum flask.
D 1836 Specification for Commercial Hexanes
5.3 Vacuum Flask.
D 2021 Specification for Neutral Detergent, 40 Percent
5 5.4 Funnel-Holding Device—A provision should be made
Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Type
for the dissipation of static electricity from the funnel.
F 302 Practice for Field Sampling of Aerospace Fluids in
5.5 A clean bench or hood, supplied with unidirectional
Containers
flow filtered air, in which uncovered components may be
F 303 Practices for Sampling Aerospace Fluids from Com-
placed.
ponents
5.6 Vacuum Source—Minimum vacuum gage reading of 61
F 312 Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting
kPa (or other metric units acceptable to ASTM).
5.7 Forceps, unserrated tips.
5.8 Filtered Liquid Dispenser.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-29 on Particle
5.9 Membrane Filter, pore size no greater than half the size
Size Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E29.02 on
of the smallest particle being considered for measurement. The
Subsieve Testing.
filter shall have an imprinted grid on 3.10 6 0.02-mm centers.
Current edition approved April 10, 1997. Published February 1998. Originally
The color shall be chosen to provide maximum contrast with
published as D 2391 – 69. Redesignated F 311 in 1970. Last previous edition
F 311 – 78 (1992).
the particulate contamination to be observed.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.04. NOTE 1—When testing military hydraulic fluids, a white cellulose
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.04.
6 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.05. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F311
membrane of 0.45-μm pore size, capable of filtering 80 mL of distilled NOTE 3—Distilled or deionized water shall be used in areas where
water per square centimeter per minute at 93 kPa (or other metric units hardness or contamination increase the blank count over the allowable
acceptable to ASTM) and 25°C is required. level.
7.2 Sample Bottle Preparation—Repeat the procedure of
5.10 Petri Dishes, glass. Plastic Petri dishes may be used
only if the selected plastic is known to be compatible with the 7.1 for both the sample bottles and caps, then allow them to
drip dry. Place a piece of plastic film that has been rinsed with
filtered liquid.
5.11 Glass Bottles, small-mouth, screw-capped, perma- filtered liquid over the mouth of the bottle. Hold the film while
screwing on the cap to prevent the film from rotating.
nently marked to indicate sample volume.
5.12 Plastic Film, 0.002-in. (0.05-mm) minimum thickness.
NOTE 4—It is important to hold the film when applying and removing
5.13 Contrasting Pigment Suspension, to be used in calibra-
the cap to prevent serration.
tion of the funnel.
8. Funnel Calibration
5.14 Slides, glass, 50 by 50-mm.
5.15 Tape, transparent, pressure-sensitive.
8.1 Disperse a small quantity of pigment into 100 mL of
liquid in a glass bottle. Prepare for a filtration as described in
6. Reagents and Materials
9.1. Filter the suspension through the membrane filter and
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
allow to dry. Release the vacuum and remove the membrane
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
filter. Place the membrane on a flat surface and measure the
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
pigment stain at three diameters 0, 45 and 90°, with a vernier
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,
caliper to the nearest 0.1 mm.
where such specifications are available. Other grades may be
8.2 Average the three measurements and calculate the area
used, provided it is first ascertain
...