ASTM B311-93(2002)e1

Test Method for Density Determination for Powder Metallurgy (P/M) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
For P/M materials containing less than two percent porosity, a density measurement may be used to determine if the part has been densified, either overall or in a critical region, to the degree required for the intended application. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating the degree of densification because chemical composition and heat treatment affect the pore-free density.
For cemented carbides, a density measurement is normally used to determine if there is any significant deviation in composition of the carbide grade. For straight tungsten carbide-cobalt grades, the relationship is straightforward. For complex carbide grades (for example, grades containing tantalum carbide or titanium carbide, or both, in addition to tungsten carbide-cobalt), the situation is more complicated. If the measured density is beyond the specified limits, the composition is outside of the specified limits. A measured density within the specified limits does not ensure correct composition; compensation between two or more constituents could result in the expected density with the wrong composition. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating a cemented carbide grade.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for powder metallurgy (P/M) materials containing less than two percent porosity and for cemented carbides. This test method is based on the water displacement method.
Note 1—A test specimen that gains mass when immersed in water indicates the specimen contains surface-connected porosity. Unsealed surface porosity will absorb water and cause density values higher than the true value. This test method is not applicable if this problem occurs.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-1993
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.11 - Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B311-93(1997) - Test Method for Density Determination for Powder Metallurgy (P/M) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Replaced By: ASTM B311-08 - Standard Test Method for Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM C1331-18 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Advanced Ceramics with Broadband Pulse-Echo Cross-Correlation Method
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM B844-98(2021) - Standard Guide for Silver-Tin Oxide Contact Material
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM B853-16(2021)e1 - Standard Specification for Powder Metallurgy (PM) Boron Stainless Steel Structural Components
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM B848/B848M-21 - Standard Specification for Powder Forged (PF) Ferrous Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM F2989-21 - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Unalloyed Titanium Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM B777-15(2020) - Standard Specification for Tungsten Base, High-Density Metal
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM F3607-22 - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing – Finished Part Properties – Maraging Steel via Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM B988-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Powder Metallurgy (PM) Titanium and Titanium Alloy Structural Components
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM A988/A988M-23 - Standard Specification for Hot Isostatically-Pressed Stainless Steel Flanges, Fittings, Valves, and Parts for High Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM F2886-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Cobalt-28Chromium-6Molybdenum Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM F3273-17(2021)e1 - Standard Specification for Wrought Molybdenum-47.5 Rhenium Alloy for Surgical Implants (UNS R03700)
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM F2924-14(2021) - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium with Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993
• Referred By: ASTM F2885-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Titanium-6Aluminum-4Vanadium Components for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-1993

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
e1
Designation:B311–93(Reapproved 2002)
Test Method for
Density Determination for Powder Metallurgy (P/M) Materials
Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
e NOTE—Paragraphs 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.4, and 6.1 were revised editorially in June 2002.
1. Scope 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for 4.1 For P/M materials containing less than two percent
powder metallurgy (P/M) materials containing less than two porosity, a density measurement may be used to determine if
percent porosity and for cemented carbides.This test method is the part has been densified, either overall or in a critical region,
based on the water displacement method. to the degree required for the intended application. Density
alone cannot be used for evaluating the degree of densification
NOTE 1—A test specimen that gains mass when immersed in water
because chemical composition and heat treatment affect the
indicates the specimen contains surface-connected porosity. Unsealed
pore-free density.
surfaceporositywillabsorbwaterandcausedensityvalueshigherthanthe
true value. This test method is not applicable if this problem occurs. 4.2 For cemented carbides, a density measurement is nor-
mally used to determine if there is any significant deviation in
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
composition of the carbide grade. For straight tungsten
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
carbide-cobalt grades, the relationship is straightforward. For
only.
complex carbide grades (for example, grades containing tan-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
talum carbide or titanium carbide, or both, in addition to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tungsten carbide-cobalt), the situation is more complicated. If
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the measured density is beyond the specified limits, the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
composition is outside of the specified limits. A measured
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
density within the specified limits does not ensure correct
composition; compensation between two or more constituents
2. Referenced Documents
could result in the expected density with the wrong composi-
2.1 ISO Standard:
tion. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating a cemented
3369 Impermeable Sintered Metal Materials and
2 carbide grade.
Hardmetals—Determination of Density
5. Apparatus
NOTE 2—The water density table in ISO 3369 differs from the table
contained in this test method.
5.1 Analytical Balance, precision single-pan analytical bal-
ance that will permit readings within 0.01 % of the test
3. Summary of Test Method
specimen mass. The analytical balance shall be supported in a
3.1 Using an analytical balance, the test specimen is first
manner to eliminate mechanical vibrations and be shielded
weighed in air and then in water. The density is determined by
from air drafts.
calculation.
5.2 Weighing Liquid—Distilled or deionized water to which
0.05 to 0.1 volume percent of a wetting agent has been added
to reduce the effects of surface tension.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
NOTE 3—Degassing the water by evacuation, boiling, or ultrasonic
mittee B09.11 on Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials.
agitation helps to prevent air bubbles from collecting on the test specimen
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 1993. Published April 1994. Originally
published as B 311 – 56T. Last previous edition B 311 – 92. and specimen support when immersed in water.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
B311
5.3 Water Container—A glass beaker or other suitable 7. Procedure
transparent container should be used to contain the water.
7.1 Weigh the test specimen in air using an analytical
balance. This is mass A. This and all subsequent weighings
NOTE 4—A transparent container makes it easier to see air bubbles
shall be to 0.01% of the test specimen mass, for example:
adhering to the test specimen and specimen support when immersed in
water.
Mass, g Balance Sensitivity, g
NOTE 5—For the most precise density determination, the water con-
less than 10 0.0001
tainershouldbeofasizethatthelevelofthewaterdoesnotrisemorethan
10 to less than 100 0.001
2.5 mm (0.10 in.) when the test specimen is lowered into the water.
100 to less than 1000 0.01
1000 to less than 10 000 0.1
5.4 Test Specimen Support for Weighing in Water—Two
typical arrangements are shown in Fig. 1. The suspension wire It is important that the test specimen, analytical balance and
surroundingairbeatauniformtemperaturewhentheweighing
may be twisted around the test specimen or the test specimen
may be supported in a wire basket that is attached to the is performed.
suspension wire. For either arrangement, a single corrosion
NOTE 7—For the most precise density determination, duplicate weigh-
resistant wire—for example, austenitic stainless steel, copper,
ings should be made for all mass determinations. The analytical balance
nichrome—shall be used for the basket and suspension wire.
should be adjusted to zero prior to each weighing. Duplicate mass
The maximum recommended diameter of suspension wire to determinations should be averaged before calculating the density.
be used for various mass ranges is: NOTE 8—Forimprovedreproducibility,theanalyticalbalanceshouldbe
periodically calibrated with a standard mass that is approximately equal to
Mass, g Wire Diameter, mm (in.)
the test specimen mass.
less than 50 0.12 (0.005)
7.2 Support the container of water over the pan of the
50 to less than 200 0.25 (0.010)
200 to less than 600 0.40 (0.015) balance using an suitable bridge
...