ASTM D8176-18(2023)

Standard Test Method for Mechanically Tapped Density of Activated Carbon (Powdered and Fine Mesh)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to determine the density expressed in g/mL for powdered or fine mesh carbon. Due to the nature of the small particles, the density of these carbon types cannot be measured using the same procedure as granular carbon.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the mechanically tapped density of powdered and fine mesh activated carbon. For the purpose of this test method, “powdered carbon” is defined as having a mean particle diameter less than 45 µm, and “fine mesh carbon” is defined as having a particle size predominately between 80 and 325 U.S. Standard mesh.  
1.2 The values in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measure 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: 31-Mar-2023
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.02 - Liquid Phase Evaluation

Relations

• 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 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 E691-11 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM D2652-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-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 D2867-09 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• 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
• Refers: ASTM E177-06b - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E177-06a - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E691-05 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2005
• Refers: ASTM D2652-05a - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2005
• Refers: ASTM D2652-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Refers: ASTM E177-04 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004

Overview

ASTM D8176-18(2023): Standard Test Method for Mechanically Tapped Density of Activated Carbon (Powdered and Fine Mesh) is a widely recognized method for measuring the tapped density of powdered and fine mesh activated carbon. Published by ASTM International, this standard provides a reliable procedure for determining the density of activated carbon samples with very small particle sizes, expressed in grams per milliliter (g/mL).

Tapped density is an important parameter for powdered and fine mesh activated carbon products, as it influences handling, storage, transport, and performance in various industrial applications. Because these materials are much finer than granular carbon, specialized testing procedures are necessary to ensure accurate and repeatable results.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose

  • Applies to activated carbon with mean particle size <45 µm for powders and between 80 and 325 mesh for fine mesh types
  • Intended for precise laboratory determination of mechanically tapped density

• Test Method Overview

  • Involves placing a dried sample in a graduated Class A cylinder
  • Subjecting the sample to repeated mechanical tapping using a standardized tapping device to consolidate the sample
  • The tapped density is calculated using the mass of the sample and the final settled volume

• Precision and Repeatability

  • Describes procedures for maximizing repeatability and reproducibility between tests, operators, and laboratories
  • Provides reference values for repeatability and reproducibility based on interlaboratory studies

• Safety and Compliance

  • Emphasizes user responsibility for safety, health, and environmental considerations
  • Developed in line with internationally recognized standardization principles, supporting global trade and compliance

Applications

The measurement of mechanically tapped density for powdered and fine mesh activated carbon has critical importance in multiple sectors:

• Industrial Processing

  • Quality control for material consistency in the manufacturing of air and water filtration products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals
  • Essential for optimizing material handling, batching, and dosing systems

• Product Development

  • Enabling R&D teams to compare raw materials and select optimal grades of activated carbon for specific applications

• Performance Evaluation

  • Used to correlate density with adsorption properties, flow characteristics, and performance in end-use systems

• Regulatory and Contract Standards

  • Provides a standardized reference for specifying product properties in supply agreements and regulatory submissions

Related Standards

ASTM D8176-18(2023) references and aligns with several related ASTM standards important for testing and terminology in activated carbon:

• ASTM D2652: Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• ASTM D2867: Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• ASTM E177: Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• ASTM E691: Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

These related standards help ensure consistent terminology, sample preparation, and statistical analysis, supporting comprehensive quality assurance in activated carbon testing.

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By following ASTM D8176-18(2023), laboratories and manufacturers can achieve reliable, comparable results for the tapped density of fine mesh and powdered activated carbon, supporting product quality, regulatory compliance, and optimal application performance. This standard is essential for stakeholders in industries where accurate characterization of activated carbon is crucial.

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: D8176 − 18 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Mechanically Tapped Density of Activated Carbon
(Powdered and Fine Mesh)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8176; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the me- 4.1 The sample of powdered or fine mesh carbon is tapped
chanically tapped density of powdered and fine mesh activated in a graduated cylinder using a tapping device. The mechani-
carbon. For the purpose of this test method, “powdered carbon” cally tapped density is determined from the known mass of
is defined as having a mean particle diameter less than 45 μm, powdered or fine mesh carbon and the tapped volume.
and “fine mesh carbon” is defined as having a particle size
5. Significance and Use
predominately between 80 and 325 U.S. Standard mesh.
5.1 This test method is used to determine the density
1.2 The values in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No
expressed in g/mL for powdered or fine mesh carbon. Due to
other units of measure are included in this standard.
the nature of the small particles, the density of these carbon
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
types cannot be measured using the same procedure as granular
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
carbon.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 6. Apparatus
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6.1 Cylinder—Graduated 100-mL serialized Class A, cali-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
brated “to contain” (TC), with a base designed to accommodate
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the cylinder holder in the tapping device.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
6.2 Automated Tapping Device —Stroke height 3.0 mm 6
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
0.3 mm, 250 strokes ⁄min 6 15 strokes ⁄min, with built-in ad-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
justable counter capable of delivering 5000 taps.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6.3 Analytical Balance, having a sensitivity of 0.1 g or
2. Referenced Documents
better.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.4 Drying Oven, forced-air circulation.
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
7. Procedure
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
7.1 Dry an adequate sample(s) using the procedure de-
ASTM Test Methods
scribed in Test Methods D2867.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
7.2 Tare the empty graduated cylinder on the balance.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
7.3 Fill the graduated cylinder to 100 mL and weigh to the
3. Terminology
nearest 0.1 g. Record the mass of the carbon, W.
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology D2652.
7.4 Place the graduated cylinder into the holder of the
tapping device.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.02 on Liquid ERWEKA GmbH (Ottostr. 20-22 63150 Heusenstamm, Germany). The ER-
Phase Evaluation. WEKA SVM-121/221 tapped density tester has been found suitable for this purpose.
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally Agilent Technologies, Inc. (5301 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95051).
approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D8176 – 18. DOI: The Agilent 350 tapped density tester has been sound suitable for this purpose.
10.1520/D8176-18R23. Pharma Alliance Group, Inc. (28518 Constellation Road Valencia, CA 91333).
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The Pharma Alliance TD-1-2 has been found suitable for this purpose.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Quantachrome Instruments (1900 Corporate Drive Boynton Beach, FL 33426).
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The Autotap™ and Dualtap™ tapped density analyzers have been found suitable for
the ASTM website. this purpose.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8176 − 18 (2023)
7.5 Preset the counter to 1000 taps and start the tapping 9.1.1.1 Repeatability can be interpreted as the maximum
device. difference between two results obtained under repeatability
conditions that is accepted as plausible due to random causes
7.6 When tapping is completed, read the tapped volume, V,
under normal and correct operation of the test method.
to the nearest 1 mL by estimating the average level of the
carbon surface in the cylinder.
9.1.1.2 Repeatability limits are listed in Table 1.
9.1.2 Reproducibility (R)—The difference between two
7.7 Place the graduated cylinder back into the holder of the
tapping device and repeat steps 7.5 and 7.6 until no changes in single and independent results obtained by different operators
th
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