ASTM C1069-09(2022)

Standard Test Method for Specific Surface Area of Alumina or Quartz by Nitrogen Adsorption

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Both sellers and purchasers of alumina and quartz will find the test method useful to determine the specific surface area and indirectly as a measure of the particle size for material specifications, manufacturing control, and research and development.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specific surface area of aluminas and silicas used in the manufacture of ceramics. The test method is a general one, permitting the use of any modern commercial nitrogen adsorption apparatus but strictly defining the outgassing procedure. Calculations are based on the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) equation.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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: 30-Apr-2022
• ICS: 81.060.10 - Raw materials
• Technical Committee: C21 - Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Drafting Committee: C21.04 - Raw Materials

Overview

ASTM C1069-09(2022): Standard Test Method for Specific Surface Area of Alumina or Quartz by Nitrogen Adsorption provides a rigorous method to determine the specific surface area of aluminas and silicas-materials extensively used in the production of ceramics. This international standard outlines the procedures for using nitrogen adsorption, incorporating the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) equation for surface area calculations. The method is broadly applicable to various commercial nitrogen adsorption analyzers, with specific requirements for sample preparation and outgassing to ensure accurate and reproducible results. All measurements are carried out in SI units, aligning with global standardization principles.

Key Topics

• Specific Surface Area Determination: The procedure allows for precise measurement of the surface area of alumina and quartz powders, critical for material characterization.
• Nitrogen Adsorption Method: Utilizes low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, adaptable to both static and dynamic analysis instruments.
• Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) Equation: Calculation of surface areas is standardized based on the BET model, ensuring consistency across laboratories.
• Sample Preparation and Degassing: Strict definition of degassing temperature and process (typically at 423 K for 1 hour) is required to remove contaminating gases and moisture.
• Reporting Requirements: Results must be reported in m²/g, with guidance on significant figures and repeatability. Duplicate tests on separately prepared and degassed samples are recommended.
• Precision and Reproducibility: The standard addresses the need for round-robin testing and specifies how to handle results that fall outside expected repeatability.

Applications

ASTM C1069-09(2022) is widely used in:

• Quality Control: Manufacturers routinely use this test method to ensure the consistency and specification compliance of raw aluminas and silicas.
• Material Specification: Sellers and buyers employ specific surface area measurements to verify that material batches meet contractual particle size or surface area requirements.
• Research and Development: Laboratories utilize this method to study the surface properties of ceramics materials and to optimize manufacturing parameters.
• Manufacturing Process Control: Monitoring surface area helps in controlling processes that impact reactivity, sintering behavior, and end-product performance in ceramic production.

This standard is essential for industries that require precise knowledge of material surface characteristics, notably in ceramics manufacturing, catalysis, and materials science research.

Related Standards

Several ASTM standards complement or relate to ASTM C1069-09(2022), including:

• ASTM E173: Practice for Conducting Interlaboratory Studies of Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals (referenced for variance analysis, although withdrawn).
• International Standards: Developed in alignment with World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) principles, ensuring harmonization with global practices.
• Other BET Surface Area Test Methods: Numerous ASTM and ISO standards using nitrogen adsorption for surface area and porosity measurement in various materials.

Conclusion

Compliance with ASTM C1069-09(2022) assures reliable and comparable results for specific surface area measurements of alumina and quartz. This fosters quality assurance, validates supplier claims, and supports innovation in ceramic manufacturing and materials technology. The method’s strong foundation in international standardization makes it a vital reference across industries concerned with ceramic raw materials and their applications.

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:C1069 −09 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Specific Surface Area of Alumina or Quartz by Nitrogen
Adsorption
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1069; 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 manufacturer of the instrument used. The sample is accurately
weighed after analysis.
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthespecific
surface area of aluminas and silicas used in the manufacture of 3.2 Calculations are based on the BET equations, adapted
ceramics. The test method is a general one, permitting the use where necessary for the equipment being used. The cross-
of any modern commercial nitrogen adsorption apparatus but sectional area of the nitrogen molecule is taken as 0.162 nm .
strictly defining the outgassing procedure. Calculations are
4. Significance and Use
based on the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) equation.
4.1 Both sellers and purchasers of alumina and quartz will
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
find the test method useful to determine the specific surface
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
area and indirectly as a measure of the particle size for material
standard.
specifications, manufacturing control, and research and devel-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
opment.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Apparatus
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.1 Specific Surface Area Analyzer, recently (after 1970)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
manufactured commercial equipment employing low-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
temperature (77 K) nitrogen adsorption. This test method may
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
be dynamic or static.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.2 Degassing Equipment, suitable to the instrument used.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.3 Analytical Balance, having a sensitivity of 1.0 mg.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6. Reagents and Materials
2. Referenced Documents
6.1 Liquid Nitrogen.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.2 Cylinder of compressed nitrogen gas, high purity as
E173 Practice for Conducting Interlaboratory Studies of
specified by manufacturer, with pressure regulator.
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals (Withdrawn
1998)
6.3 Cylinder of compressed helium gas, high purity as
specified by manufacturer, with pressure regulator, for static
3. Summary
instruments or for dynamic instruments having gas mixing
3.1 An appropriate size sample is degassed for1hat423K
ability and employing the multipoint procedure or,
before proceeding with the analysis as prescribed by the
6.4 Cylinder of compressed, approximately 0.30 mol
fraction, nitrogen in helium with pressure regulator, for other
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC21onCeramic
dynamic instruments employing the single point procedure.
Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C21.04 on Raw Materials.
7. Procedure
Current edition approved May 1, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1069 – 09 (2014).
7.1 Sample Preparation—Blend the gross sample very well.
DOI: 10.1520/C1069-09R22.
For non-free-flowing materials mechanical agitation is neces-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm
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