ASTM B311-17

Standard Test Method for Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing Less Than Two Percent Porosity

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 For PM 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.  
5.2 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 (PM) 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 With the exception of the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram per cubic centimetre (g/cm3) and gram (g) units is the long-standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be regarded as 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 and health 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2017
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.11 - Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials

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: B311 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing
1
Less Than Two Percent Porosity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B311; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for
3. Terminology
powder metallurgy (PM) materials containing less than two
percent porosity and for cemented carbides.This test method is 3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be
based on the water displacement method. found in Terminology B243.Additional descriptive material is
available in the Related Material section of Vol. 02.05 of the
NOTE 1—A test specimen that gains mass when immersed in water
Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
indicates the specimen contains surface-connected porosity. Unsealed
surfaceporositywillabsorbwaterandcausedensityvalueshigherthanthe
true value. This test method is not applicable if this problem occurs. 4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 With the exception of the values for density and the
4.1 Using an analytical balance, the test specimen is first
mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram
weighed in air and then in water. The density is determined by
3
per cubic centimetre (g/cm ) and gram (g) units is the long-
calculation using Archimedes’ principle.
standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be
regarded as standard.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 For PM materials containing less than two percent
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
porosity, a density measurement may be used to determine if
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the part has been densified, either overall or in a critical region,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
to the degree required for the intended application. Density
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
alone cannot be used for evaluating the degree of densification
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
because chemical composition and heat treatment affect the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
pore-free density.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.2 For cemented carbides, a density measurement is nor-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mally used to determine if there is any significant deviation in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
composition of the carbide grade. For straight tungsten
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
carbide-cobalt grades, the relationship is straightforward. For
complex carbide grades (for example, grades containing tan-
2. Referenced Documents
talum carbide or titanium carbide, or both, in addition to
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tungsten carbide-cobalt), the situation is more complicated. If
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
the measured density is beyond the specified limits, the
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
composition is outside of the specified limits. A measured
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
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 composi-
1
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- tion. Density alone cannot be used for evaluating a cemented
mittee B09.11 on Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials.
carbide grade.
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as B311 – 08. DOI:
6. Apparatus
10.1520/B0311-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.1 AnalyticalBalance—precision single-pan analytical bal-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ance that will permit readings within 0.01% of the test
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. specimen mass. The analytical balance shall be supported in a
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

----------------
...

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: B311 − 13 B311 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Density of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials Containing
1
Less Than Two Percent Porosity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B311; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of density for powder metallurgy (PM) 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 With the exception of the values for density and the mass used to determine density, for which the use of the gram per cubic
3
centimetercentimetre (g/cm ) and gram (g) units is the long-standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be regarded
as 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 and health 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be found in Terminology B243. Additional descriptive material is
available in the Related Material section of Vol. 02.05 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Using an analytical balance, the test specimen is first weighed in air and then in water. The density is determined by
calculation using Archimedes’ principle.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 For PM 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B09.11
on Near Full Density Powder Metallurgy Materials.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013April 1, 2017. Published June 2013April 2017. Originally approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as B311 – 08.
DOI: 10.1520/B0311-13.10.1520/B0311-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B311 − 17
5.2 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 com
...