ISO 15165:2001

Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) — Classification system

This International Standard describes a system by which fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) (see clause 3) may be classified. The system has been devised to cover all types of fine ceramics in the form of inorganic precursors for ceramic powder production, powders, granular forms, fibres, whiskers, platelets, single crystals, consolidated polycrystalline ceramics, amorphous (glassy) and composite materials and components in block, thin film and coating forms. The structure of the classification is coded to be machine readable. The classification system does not cover: elemental carbon, except for specific ceramic forms such as diamond, vitreous carbon or chemical vapour deposited (CVD) graphite; elemental silicon, elemental germanium and other elemental or compound semi-metallic substances other than when they form an integral component of or precoursor for fine ceramics; traditional ceramics based on clay, including: whitewares (e.g. tableware and fine porcelain); sanitary wares; floor and wall tiles; building ceramics (e.g. bricks and pipes); unshaped and shaped refractories for tonnage applications. This International Standard does not specifically cover hardmetal (cemented carbide) products, or products which are mainly glassy, but the system can, in principle, be extended to cover such products. Its mode of use will be determined by the objective behind its use. It is not the purpose of this International Standard to define how the system shall be used, but examples are given of how it might be used. The user is able to define the coding combination and the level of detail to suit a particular purpose. This International Standard provides only a flexible framework and a recommended international coding system within which this might be done.

Céramiques techniques — Système de classification

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 07-Nov-2001
• ICS: 81.060.30 - Advanced ceramics
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 206 - Fine ceramics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 206/WG 1 - Terminology/Classification
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Completion Date: 20-Jun-2022

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15165
First edition
2001-10-15
Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics,
advanced technical ceramics) —
Classification system
Céramiques techniques — Système de classification
Reference number
ISO 15165:2001(E)
ISO 2001
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ISO 15165:2001(E)
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ISO 15165:2001(E)
Contents Page

Foreword.....................................................................................................................................................................iv

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................v

1 Scope ..............................................................................................................................................................1

2 Normative references ....................................................................................................................................1

3 Terms and definitions ...................................................................................................................................2

4 Objectives.......................................................................................................................................................2

5 Individual classification fields......................................................................................................................3

6 Construction of a complete classification code.......................................................................................13

Annex A (normative) Application classification field............................................................................................15

Annex B (normative) Chemical character descriptor field....................................................................................35

Annex C (informative) Processing classification field ..........................................................................................60

Annex D (normative) Property data classification field ........................................................................................65

Annex E (informative) Bibliography to annex D.....................................................................................................74

Bibliography..............................................................................................................................................................79

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ISO 15165:2001(E)
Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO

member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical

committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has

the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in

liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical

Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.

Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.

Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject of

patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

International Standard ISO 15165 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 206, Fine ceramics.

Annexes A, B and D form a normative part of this International Standard. Annexes C and E are for information only.

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ISO 15165:2001(E)
Introduction

The detail of the classification system has been developed by international collaboration under the auspices of VAMAS

Technical Working Area 14, and with support from the Commission of the European Communities, ASTM Institute of

Standards Research and the Japan Fine Ceramics Association. Its construction has followed an international survey of

[1]

requirements amongst manufacturing and user industries , discussions at an international workshop at Ispra, Italy,

[2] [3] [4]

June 1990 , a consultant's study , and a final report of the work of VAMAS TWA14 .

The use of this International Standard has been reviewed by VAMAS TWA14 in an international project to test and

demonstrate it. Based on the findings of this work, modifications agreed by VAMAS have been made to the original

[4]
VAMAS Report .
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15165:2001(E)
Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical
ceramics) — Classification system
1 Scope

This International Standard describes a system by which fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical

ceramics) (see clause 3) may be classified. The system has been devised to cover all types of fine ceramics in the form

of inorganic precursors for ceramic powder production, powders, granular forms, fibres, whiskers, platelets, single

crystals, consolidated polycrystalline ceramics, amorphous (glassy) and composite materials and components in block,

thin film and coating forms. The structure of the classification is coded to be machine readable.

The classification system does not cover:

a) elemental carbon, except for specific ceramic forms such as diamond, vitreous carbon or chemical vapour

deposited (CVD) graphite;

b) elemental silicon, elemental germanium and other elemental or compound semi-metallic substances other

than when they form an integral component of or precoursor for fine ceramics;
c) traditional ceramics based on clay, including:
1) whitewares (e.g. tableware and fine porcelain);
2) sanitary wares;
3) floor and wall tiles;
4) building ceramics (e.g. bricks and pipes);
d) unshaped and shaped refractories for tonnage applications.

This International Standard does not specifically cover hardmetal (cemented carbide) products, or products which are

mainly glassy, but the system can, in principle, be extended to cover such products. Its mode of use will be determined

by the objective behind its use. It is not the purpose of this International Standard to define how the system shall be

used, but examples are given of how it might be used. The user is able to define the coding combination and the level

of detail to suit a particular purpose. This International Standard provides only a flexible framework and a

recommended international coding system within which this might be done.
2 Normative references

The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of

this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these

publications do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to

investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For

undated references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC

maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.
IEC 60672-2, Ceramic and glass insulating materials — Part 2: Methods of test

IEC 60672-3, Ceramic and glass insulating materials — Part 3: Specifications for individual materials

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ISO 15165:2001(E)
3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this International Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1
fine ceramic (advanced ceramic, advanced technical ceramic)

highly engineered, high-performance, predominantly non-metallic, inorganic, ceramic material having specific

functional attributes

NOTE Other terms which in whole or in part cover the scope of the above expression are in common use. The above term

is the preferred one in all circumstances.
3.2
classification field

set of categories related to one independent aspect or feature of the classification

3.3
classification element
single category in a classification field
3.4
code
alphanumeric string with a prescribed definition in terms of material attributes
3.5
coding element
part of the alphanumeric code from one classification field
4 Objectives

This International Standard provides a framework wherein fine ceramic (advanced ceramic, advanced technical

ceramic) products and materials can be classified for a variety of purposes including commercial statistics, market

surveys, materials identification, coding and data bases.

The present range of products that is encompassed by the term “fine ceramics” or its synonyms “advanced ceramics”

or “advanced technical ceramics”, or others, is enormous in breadth and complex in chemical character, form and

property attributes. Normally there are close interlinks between these factors. It has therefore been impossible to devise

a single hierarchical system, such as that used in IEC 60672-3 for electrotechnical ceramics for insulators or that in the

Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System for goods or derivatives thereof. The system developed and

incorporated into this International Standard is novel in many respects in order to encompass all foreseen requirements

and purposes, and all raw and manufactured materials and applications, i.e. it has great flexibility.

For these purposes, an adequate classification of the diversity of materials and products in various stages of

manufacture may require the linking of chemical composition, form, processing method, material properties and

applications in any required combination. The system described in this International Standard has the capability of

classifying fine (advanced, advanced technical) ceramics by any combination of these fields in any sequence for any

desired purpose. The fields are described individually in the following sections. Annexes A, B, C and D provide a

coding method for each classification field of the system.

The user should select from the classification fields those relevant to his requirement, and place these in an order

prescribed for the particular purpose. Some possible combinations are described in clause 6.

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ISO 15165:2001(E)
5 Individual classification fields
5.1 Introduction

Since the intention is to provide a means of classifying any combination of fields in any sequence appropriate to user

needs, each field is separately identified by a unique initial letter code:
� A = application
� C = chemical character
� P = processing methods
� D = property characteristic or data

The form of the product is closely related to chemical character and is incorporated into the chemistry code. If

appropriate, additional classification fields may be added in the same way. In each case these should be identifiable in

a coding string by a unique initial letter code.

For the purposes of computer recognition, a strict sequence of classification elements is not required, but for other

purposes, such as manual preparation of trade statistics or material specifications, the sequence of classification

elements should be chosen and fixed as preferred.

In the following description of code structures, the variable characters used in the code are:

� X = any appropriate single capital letter coding character
� n = any appropriate single numeric coding character
5.2 Classification field for application type

The initial character to denote the start of the “Application” string is “A”. This is followed by a three-digit number code as

listed in annex A for the application areas. In the list, applications are initially separated into a hierarchical series of

areas by the principal functions of the product as defined by:
� electrical insulation, i.e. insulators for a wide variety of purposes;

� electronic/ionic conduction, i.e. electronic or ionic conductors for heating or functional purposes;

� mechanical functions, including wear, at or near room temperature;

� thermal and thermomechanical functions, where dimensional stability at raised temperature, heat

insulation, heat conduction or resistance to thermal shock are the principal functions, and where additionally

mechanical loads may be applied;

� nuclear functions, where the component plays either an active or a passive nuclear role;

� optical functions, where the component plays a functional role as an optical element in reflection, refraction,

transmission or absorption of electromagnetic radiation;

� chemical functions, including biomedical, where the component is employed for handling melts, chemicals,

solutions or atmospheres because of its resistance to attack by them and, in the case of biomedical materials,

a degree of bio-compatibility;

� magnetic functions, where the component possesses properties allowing a functional magnetic role;

� powder functions, where the fine ceramic is supplied in powder or granule form for use as such.

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The first digit of the three-digit code is given as above by the principal physical function. The subsequent digits are non-

hierarchical, and follow the listing given in annex A. To aid the identification of codes, an alphabetical index is also

given. Figure 1 shows a flow diagram for the selection of application codes.

It may not always be possible to assign a particular product to one of the listed codes. In such a case, the code

representing “Other functions” shall be employed, either within each of the above areas as appropriate, or failing

this under codes 980-999.

If the product needs to be classified as having a general applicability to a range of unspecified applications, the

general “unspecified” code (generally of form An00, except A400, but including A950) at the beginning of each

group shall be used.
EXAMPLES
Resistor cores code A144
Wear resisting pads for slideways code A326
Rubber dipping formers code A820
5.3 Classification field for chemical character

5.3.1 The initial identifier indicating “chemical character” is “C”. Because the chemical character of fine ceramics

(advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) can be complex, a flexible method of classification has been

devised. The one or two alphabetical characters that follow the initial “C” indicate the form in which the chemical

species exists (precursor, powder, solid ceramic, etc.). The following alphanumeric string indicates the species and,

optionally, the amount of it present, the relationship of a second species to the first (e.g. physical or chemical

admixture), etc. Details of the categories, their code letters and their uses are given in annex B.

Two formats of this string are given:

� a short format, intended for broad description of chemical character of common types of powder or ceramic

material;

� a long format, when more detailed chemical information is required, such as the individual chemical

components present and optionally their mass fractions.

5.3.2 The choice of whether to use the short-format or the long-format code is subject to agreement between

parties. However, it should be noted that converting from the short-format to the long-format code or vice versa is

not straightforward since the respective codings have different bases. Consequently, once a choice has been made

it should be adhered to.

NOTE The short-format code is most appropriate for dealing with commercial products, sales statistics or inventories

where the distinction between products is based primarily on overall chemical type, without the need to define the composition

in detail. The long-format code is most appropriate for use where the precise chemical make-up of the product needs to be

identified, e.g. in data banks or in recording manufacturing processes.

5.3.3 The short-format code is a four-digit number (nnnn) in the range 5001 to 9999 found in annex B. This is

appended directly without punctuation to the chemical character identifier (C) and the form identifier (XX) to form a

code:
CXXnnnn

This code is used with the appropriate form identifiers for all types of ceramic precursor and product. The classification

code is terminated either by no further characters, or by one of the initial characters A, P or D (or additional defined

initial classification field codes) indicating the start of another classification field.

EXAMPLES
Dense high-alumina ceramic, 95 % alumina CKB5040

Open porous calcium aluminosilicate ceramic (anorthite,e.g. metallurgical filter material) CKG5555

Separated and floated whiskers of alpha silicon carbide CWE6260
An open porous 2D woven silicon carbide fibre reinforced silicon carbide CKT6320
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Figure 1 — Flow diagram showing the selection of codes for application
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ISO 15165:2001(E)

5.3.4 The long-format code is constructed as shown in Table 1. Chemical species codes are selected from code

numbers 0001 to 4999 given in annex B. The sequence of “form” plus “chemical code” plus optional “amount” string

may be repeated as few or as many times as is required to define the product in the detail required.

Important aspects to note are:

1) The code may be developed in the detail required to classify the product for the objective in mind.

2) Compositional detail may be appended if appropriate to end-use requirements. Two options are available;

see Table 1 for two options, either an additional code number or a supplementary statement.

3) The minimum classification long-format code is “form” plus one identified chemical compound; all

information beyond this point is non-mandatory.

4) The classification code is terminated either by no further characters, or by one of the initial characters A, P

or D (or additional defined initial classification field codes) indicating the start of another classification field.

5) Effective use of the long-format code requires detailed knowledge of the formulation and microstructure of

the product.

A flow diagram indicating the decision route to the identification and selection of codes is shown in Figure 2. The

following examples indicate the flexibility of use of the classification code in any appropriate way, while remaining

uniquely machine readable.
EXAMPLE 1

Alumina ceramic with 15 % by weight of unstabilized zirconia as a separate phase. Using Option 1 for the composition gives

(written with spaces for clarity):
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ISO 15165:2001(E)
Table 1 — Construction of the long-format chemical character code
Code element Description
C Chemical character code string identifier
XX One or two-letter code indicating the overall “form” of the product

nnnn Four-digit chemical character code from the numerical range 0001 to 4999 (see annex B)

Optional Option 1: coding element for indicating Option 2: If the precise composition in

“amount” of the species nnnn in the product percentage or parts per million terms is to be

expressed as mass percentage, according to expressed, the figure is placed in
the following code: parentheses (..) after the species code,
percentage being indicated by a following
1 u1%
letter “C” and parts per million by a following
letter “M”.
2 > 1 % to10 %
The figure may be preceded by “<” or “>” to
3 > 10 %to30%
signify less than or more than a given
4 > 30 %to50%
amount, respectively.
5 > 50 %to70%
6 > 70 %to90%
7 > 90 %to99%
8>99%
If the value is undefined or undefinable, this
character is omitted.

XX (**) Two letters indicating how a second species is mixed in relation to the first when in the same

form of product, e.g. for a specified second component in a two-species powder or ceramic,

or an impurity.
nnnn Four-digit chemical character code for the second species.
nOption1 Option 2

Optional single digit coding percentage, by Optional supplementary statement coding

mass, of second species as defined above. quantity, by mass, of second species, as

defined above.

(**) The sequence is repeated from (**) for third and subsequent species as necessary.

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Figure 2 — Flow diagram for selection of codes representing chemical character
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ISO 15165:2001(E)
EXAMPLE 2

Alumina ceramic with 15 % by weight of yttria stabilized zirconia as separate phase, yttria content in the zirconia not defined but

less than 1 % by weight overall. Using Option 1 for bands of composition gives (written with spaces for clarity):

Option 2 defining the zirconia content at 15 % gives (written with spaces for clarity):

EXAMPLE 3

Sodium borosilicate glass of defined composition 71 % SiO ,12% Na O, 17 % B O ,using Option 2 for exact percentages

2 2 2 3
gives (written with spaces for clarity):
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ISO 15165:2001(E)
EXAMPLE 4

Silicon carbide whisker-reinforced alumina/unstabilized zirconia with unspecified composition. The compositional definition

option is not invoked, and gives (written with spaces for clarity):

For this particular case with unspecified percentages, the short form CKW5190 could be used with equal value.

NOTE It may not always be possible to assign a particular product to one of the listed codes. In such a case, the code or

codes representing “Other” chemical species should be used, either within a chemical group for the long-form code [e.g. “Other

chromites” (2119)] or within a generic ceramic type for the short-form code [e.g. “Other glass-ceramics” (9999)].

5.4 Classification field for processing

In cases where the method of processing the ceramic needs to be identified as part of the overall code string, for

example in internal inventories or data bases, this can be performed using a simple string. The initial letter is P,

followed by three digits selected from the listing given in annex C, i.e.:
Pnnn

This can be repeated as many times as is required to define adequately the process or processing route adopted. For

example, the processing code for a ceramic body might have the appearance:
P203P302P403P502P804

indicating that a chemically precipitated powder (P203) was used, which was spray dried (P302) prior to isostatic

pressing (P403), followed by sintering in air (P502). The component was then surface ground (P804).

5.5 Classification field for property characteristics or data

5.5.1 Many ceramic products are developed for specific property attributes appropriate to particular end uses. If it

is required to provide a classification element to define the “properties” or “characteristics”, this is done using a

code with an initial letter “D” (data), followed by a string of 3 to 6 numerical characters defined according to the

matrix in annex E. The first numerical character defines the property class, and the second the property type within

that class. Where appropriate, details of the properties are coded in subsequent numerical characters.

A flow diagram for the selection of property data codes is shown in Figure 3.

NOTE It is envisaged that property classification elements could be expanded into a more-detailed data base when this is

desired, the other classification elements being employed to define uniquely the chemical character, applications and any other

feature of the material or component.
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ISO 15165:2001(E)
Figure 3 — Flow diagram for the selection of codes representing data
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ISO 15165:2001(E)

5.5.2 For cases in which one or more properties are seen to be of relevance in the classification of a ceramic

product, but where it is either
� adequate to indicate simply this fact, or

� where it is not possible to ascribe a numerical value because there are no standardized procedures for giving

single-valued data, or
� there are no standardized or recognized test methods

the code is limited to the first three numerical characters. The citing of property characteristics in this manner shall

be taken to imply that the property is important for the function of the material, either by design of the material or by

the application for which it is intended.
EXAMPLES
An acid-resistant material D802
An electro-optic material D617
A material designed for (unspecified) thermal shock resistance D303

5.5.3 Where it is appropriate to use numerical property values, properties are divided into numerical bands of

values as determined by a specified test method. The appropriate band can be selected using the fourth numerical

character. When desirable or appropriate, the property band may be qualified by use of a fifth numerical character

indicating the temperature range in which the property has a value in the selected band. With particular reference

to electrical properties, a sixth numerical character may be selected to indicate the frequency range relevant to the

property data. The frequency character shall always be used in conjunction with the temperature character to avoid

ambiguity.
EXAMPLE 1
A material with room-temperature flexural strength of 600 MPa:
EXAMPLE 2
An electrical insulator with loss tangent 5 � 10 at 400 Cand 10 MHz:
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5.5.4 If more than one property characteristic is required, the code D is repeated, i.e.:

DnnnDnnnnnnDnnn ......

represents three property features of particular relevance. These coding elements can be placed in any sequence

without change of meaning.
EXAMPLE
�1 �1 �4

A material with thermal conductivity 40 W m K , dielectric loss tangent 5 � 10 at 10 MHz and flexural strength 600 MPa, all

at 400 C:
D20164D609444D30154

The first two elements in this example are taken from the previous examples for single elements, and the third signifies the

thermal conductivity classification.

5.5.5 Optionally, a “supplementary statement” may be added to the classification code in order to indicate the

test method being used, a test method parameter, or other relevant attribute, e.g. colour. The supplementary

statement is enclosed in parentheses (..) and immediately follows the Dnnnnnn code.

EXAMPLE

Taking the previous example and adding the test methods and the colour of the product gives:

D20164(ISO 14704, 4-point bending, 40 mm span)D609444(IEC 60672)D30154(EN 821-2 and specific heat) D403(white)

5.6 Other classification fields

While not a defined part of this International Standard, additional classification fields may be used for further

features associated with a product as required by the application of the classification. If it is desired to include such

information, the classification fields should be constructed as agreed tables of codes in the form:

Xnnn

where X is a unique and unambiguously identifiable initial classification field character, and nnn is a three-digit

code from an agreed table. In this form, the additional classification elements remain unique and machine

readable.
Examples of attributes which could be coded in this way include:
� date of coding
� manufacturer's name
� country of origin
6 Construction of a complete classification code

The classification method described above may be used to assemble a code of any length to any level of detail

appropriate to the end-use requirements. By using unique letter identifiers at the start of each classification element an

individual element is easily identifiable in the combined code, which can then be constructed in any appropriate

...