ASTM E562-19e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point Count
Standard Test Method for Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point Count
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is based upon the stereological principle that a grid with a number of regularly arrayed points, when systematically placed over an image of a two-dimensional section through the microstructure, can provide, after a representative number of placements on different fields, an unbiased statistical estimation of the volume fraction of an identifiable constituent or phase (1, 2, 3).3
5.2 This test method has been described (4) as being superior to other manual methods with regard to effort, bias, and simplicity.
5.3 Any number of clearly distinguishable constituents or phases within a microstructure (or macrostructure) can be counted using the method. Thus, the method can be applied to any type of solid material from which adequate two-dimensional sections can be prepared and observed.
5.4 A condensed step-by-step guide for using the method is given in Annex A1.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a systematic manual point counting procedure for statistically estimating the volume fraction of an identifiable constituent or phase from sections through the microstructure by means of a point grid.
1.2 The use of automatic image analysis to determine the volume fraction of constituents is described in Practice E1245.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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
Relations
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.
ϵ1
Designation:E562 −19
Standard Test Method for
Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point
1
Count
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E562; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Section A1.2 was editorially corrected in August 2020.
INTRODUCTION
This test method may be used to determine the volume fraction of constituents in an opaque
specimen using a polished, planar cross section by the manual point count procedure. The same
measurements can be achieved using image analysis per Practice E1245.
1. Scope E7Terminology Relating to Metallography
E407Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
1.1 This test method describes a systematic manual point
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
counting procedure for statistically estimating the volume
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
fraction of an identifiable constituent or phase from sections
E1245Practice for Determining the Inclusion or Second-
through the microstructure by means of a point grid.
Phase Constituent Content of Metals byAutomatic Image
1.2 The use of automatic image analysis to determine the
Analysis
volume fraction of constituents is described in Practice E1245.
3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
standard.
practice, see Terminology E7.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 point count—the total number of points in a test grid
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
that fall within the microstructural feature of interest, or on the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
featureboundary;forthelatter,eachtestpointontheboundary
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
is one half a point.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.2 point fraction—the ratio, usually expressed as a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
percentage, of the point count of the phase or constituent of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
interest on the two-dimensional image of an opaque specimen
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tothenumberofgridpoints,whichisaveragedover nfieldsto
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
produce an unbiased estimate of the volume fraction of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
phase or constituent.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.3 stereology—themethodsdevelopedtoobtaininforma-
2
tion about the three-dimensional characteristics of microstruc-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tures based upon measurements made on two-dimensional
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
sections through a solid material or their projection on a
surface.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on
Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.14 on Quanti- 3.2.4 test grid—a transparent sheet or eyepiece reticle with
tative Metallography.
a regular pattern of lines or crosses that is superimposed over
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally
themicrostructuralimageforcountingmicrostructuralfeatures
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E562–11. DOI:
of interest.
10.1520/E0562-19E01.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.2.5 volume fraction—the total volume of a phase or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
constituent per unit volume of specimen, generally expressed
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. as a percentage.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ϵ1
E562−19
TABLE 1 95% Confidence Interval Multipliers
an unbiased statistical estimation of the volume fraction of an
3
No. of Fields n t No. of Fields n t identifiable constituent or phase (1, 2, 3).
5 2.776 19 2.101
5.2 This test method has been described (4) as being
6 2.571 20 2.093
superior to other manual methods with regard to effort, bias,
7 2.447 21
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.