ASTM E1617-09

Standard Practice for Reporting Particle Size Characterization Data

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
When evaluating the particle size information, if the procedures of the data processing are not available, the user of the data must make assumptions concerning the reported data in the event of analytical inconsistencies. In order for different data sets to be compared it is crucial that the parties report the analytical techniques and methods or procedures for evaluating, calculating, compiling or otherwise processing the data to be reported.
Particle size characterization information can be reported in three levels of detail in order to satisfy user's needs.
Level 1 applies when only basic information about the material is required, and shall be provided with each shipment. This level represents the minimum information that shall be reported. Level 1 information may be sufficient in such cases as identifying a certain grade of a material or when detailed knowledge of analytical methodology is not needed.
Level 2 presumes the need for knowledge of methodology on the user's part and allows the user to make a more informed judgment about the information provided in Level 1.
Level 3 provides detailed written procedures to allow duplication of the measurement.
Information provided through Levels 2 and 3 will allow users to perform comparative material evaluations between several suppliers, set specifications or define a purchase agreement, perform inter-laboratory studies and most importantly resolve disputes between supplier and users.
Reported particle size measurement is a function of both the actual particle dimension and shape factor as well as the particular physical or chemical properties of the particle being measured. Caution is required when comparing data from instruments operating on different physical or chemical parameters or with different particle size measurement ranges. Sample acquisition, handling and preparation can also affect the reported particle size results.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers reporting particle size measurement data.
1.2 This practice applies to particle size measurement methods, devices, detail levels, and data formats for dry powders, and wet suspensions of solids, gels, or emulsion droplets. This practice does not pertain to liquid particles.
Note 1—For information on reporting liquid particle measurement data, refer to Practice E 799.  
1.3 This practice does not concern particle concentration information.
1.4 This practice uses SI (Système International) units as standard. State all numerical values in terms of SI units unless specific instrumentation software reports particle size information, including percentiles, indices, and distributions as tabulations and graphs using alternate units. In this case, present both reported and equivalent SI units in the final written report. Refer to Practice E 380 for proper usage of SI units.
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2009
• ICS: 19.120 - Particle size analysis. Sieving
• Technical Committee: E29 - Particle and Spray Characterization
• Drafting Committee: E29.02 - Non-Sieving Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1617-97(2007) - Standard Practice for Reporting Particle Size Characterization Data
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM E1617-09(2014)e1 - Standard Practice for Reporting Particle Size Characterization Data
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F3560-22 - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing – Data – Common Exchange Format for Particle Size Analysis by Light Scattering
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C1730-17(2022) - Standard Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Advanced Ceramics by X-Ray Monitoring of Gravity Sedimentation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D8489-23e1 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Microplastics Particle and Fiber Size, Distribution, Shape, and Concentration in Waters with High to Low Suspended Solids Using a Dynamic Image Particle Size and Shape Analyzer
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D4464-15(2020) - Standard Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Catalytic Materials by Laser Light Scattering
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E3340-22 - Standard Guide for Development of Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analysis Methods for Powder Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F1877-16 - Standard Practice for Characterization of Particles
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E2490-09(2021) - Standard Guide for Measurement of Particle Size Distribution of Nanomaterials in Suspension by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E2859-11(2023) - Standard Guide for Size Measurement of Nanoparticles Using Atomic Force Microscopy
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E3247-20 - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Size of Nanoparticles in Aqueous Media Using Dynamic Light Scattering
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM G211-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Conducting Elevated Temperature Erosion Tests by Solid Particle Impingement Using Gas Jets
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E2651-19 - Standard Guide for Powder Particle Size Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM B822-20 - Standard Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Metal Powders and Related Compounds by Light Scattering
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E2578-07(2022) - Standard Practice for Calculation of Mean Sizes/Diameters and Standard Deviations of Particle Size Distributions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009

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: E1617 − 09
StandardPractice for
1
Reporting Particle Size Characterization Data
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1617; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Correlation and comparison of particle size measurement data are of general importance to
researchers, processors, suppliers, vendors, and users of particulate materials. Since there are
numerous methods and devices in use, comparisons of size measurement data are subject to perceived
inconsistencies that may be much reduced by the use of standardized reporting.
Data generated by any one size measurement method may be consistent in many respects, yet be
troublesome to correlate due to variances in data processing and reporting formats among equipment
manufacturers. Data generated from methods employing different physical principles present serious
correlation problems due to their sensing of different parameters related to particle size and some
unrelated, such as density, shape and optical properties. Standardized reporting may reduce confusion
resulting from different particle size measurement practices.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 Thispracticecoversreportingparticlesizemeasurement
data.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This practice applies to particle size measurement
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
methods, devices, detail levels, and data formats for dry
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
powders, and wet suspensions of solids, gels, or emulsion
ASTM Test Methods
droplets. This practice does not pertain to liquid particles.
E380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units
3
NOTE 1—For information on reporting liquid particle measurement (Si) (the Modernized Metric System) (Withdrawn 1997)
data, refer to Practice E799.
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.3 This practice does not concern particle concentration
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
information.
E799 Practice for Determining Data Criteria and Processing
1.4 This practice uses SI (Système International) units as
for Liquid Drop Size Analysis
standard. State all numerical values in terms of SI units unless
specific instrumentation software reports particle size
3. Significance and Use
information, including percentiles, indices, and distributions as
3.1 When evaluating the particle size information, if the
tabulations and graphs using alternate units. In this case,
procedures of the data processing are not available, the user of
present both reported and equivalent SI units in the final
the data must make assumptions concerning the reported data
written report. Refer to Practice E380 for proper usage of SI
in the event of analytical inconsistencies. In order for different
units.
data sets to be compared it is crucial that the parties report the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
analytical techniques and methods or procedures for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
evaluating, calculating, compiling or otherwise processing the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
data to be reported.
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E29 on Particle and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Spray Characterization and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E29.02 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Non-Sieving Methods. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1617 – 97(2007). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/E1617-09. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1617 − 09
3.2 Particle size characterization information can be re-
ported in three levels of detail in order to satisfy user’s needs.
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E1617 − 09
3.2.1 Level 1 applies when only basic information about the 4.4.5 The report shall include the bases for the reported
material is required, and shall be provided with each shipment. parameters. Examples of parameter basis are frequently d
...

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:E1617–97 (Reapproved 2007) Designation: E 1617 – 09
Standard Practice for
1
Reporting Particle Size Characterization Data
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1617; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Correlation and comparison of particle size measurement data are of general importance to
researchers, processors, suppliers, vendors, and users of particulate materials. Since there are
numerous methods and devices in use, comparisons of size measurement data are subject to perceived
inconsistencies that may be much reduced by the use of standardized reporting.
Data generated by any one size measurement method may be consistent in many respects, yet be
troublesome to correlate due to variances in data processing and reporting formats among equipment
manufacturers. Data generated from methods employing different physical principles present serious
correlation problems due to their sensing of different parameters related to particle size and some
unrelated, such as density, shape and optical properties. Standardized reporting may reduce confusion
resulting from different particle size measurement practices.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers reporting particle size measurement data.
1.2 This practice applies to particle size measurement methods, devices, detail levels, and data formats for dry powders, and
wet suspensions of solids, gels, or emulsion droplets. This practice does not pertain to liquid particles.
NOTE 1—For information on reporting liquid particle measurement data, refer to Practice E 799.
1.3 This practice does not concern particle concentration information.
1.4 This practice uses SI (Système International) units as standard. State all numerical values in terms of SI units unless specific
instrumentation software reports particle size information, including percentiles, indices, and distributions as tabulations and
graphs using alternate units. In this case, present both reported and equivalent SI units in the final written report. Refer to Practice
E 380 for proper usage of SI units.
1.5 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:
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
3
E 380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units (SI)
E 456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E 799 Practice for Determining Data Criteria and Processing for Liquid Drop Size Analysis
3. Significance and Use
3.1 When evaluating the particle size information, if the procedures of the data processing are not available, the user of the data
must make assumptions concerning the reported data in the event of analytical inconsistencies. In order for different data sets to
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E29 on Particle and Spray Characterization and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E29.02 on
Non-Sieving Methods.
Current edition approved AprilMarch 1, 2007.2009. Published May 2007.April 2009. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20022007 as
E 1617 – 97(20027).
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1617–09
be compared it is crucial that the parties report the analytical techniques and methods or procedures for evaluating, calculating,
compiling or otherwise processing the data to be reported.
3.2 Particle size characterization information can be reported in three levels of detail in order to satisfy user’s needs.
3.2.1 Level1applieswhenonlybasicinformationaboutthematerialisrequired,andshallbeprovidedwitheachshipment.
...