ASTM_C_371_-_09_2014.pdf

Designation:C37109(Reapproved 2014)Standard Test Method forWire-Cloth Sieve Analysis of Nonplastic Ceramic Powders1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C371;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particlesize distribution of nonplastic ceramic powders such asalumina,silica,feldspar,pyrophyllite,nepheline syenite,talc,titanates,and zircon using wire cloth sieves.1.2 Materials containing a large amount of fines,containingagglomerates,or that are nonfree-flowing,are wet-sieved toremove excessive fines or to disperse agglomerates beforeperforming the test.This technique is not applicable to mate-rials that are,to any degree,water soluble.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to inch-pound units,or are other customary units(in the case of sieve frame diameter and sieve number),that areprovided for information only and are not considered standard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C322 Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware ClaysE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and TestSieves3.Significance and Use3.1 Sieve analyses are carried out to determine the particlesize distribution of powders which,in turn,are used to qualifythose materials as to their usefulness in the process underconsideration.Since particle size analyses have only relativesignificance,the results should be considered only where theycorrelate with process characteristics.The parameter that isbeing measured in this test is the amount of material that willpass through a cloth having theoretically square openings.Itmust be remembered that all the holes are not square,noruniform in size,and the question of whether a given particlewill go through is a statistical one.Since each particle sizeanalysis method measures a unique physical parameter,theresults from one method may not agree with those fromanother.Particle size distributions play a role in such propertiesas bulk density,dustiness,and handling characteristics.Careshould be taken,however,when interpretations are made fromone or two points(sieves)on the distribution curve.4.Apparatus4.1 Balance,having a sensitivity of 0.05 g.4.2 Sieves,clean,unblinded,205 mm(8 in.)in diameter,and conforming to Specification E11.At all times they shall becertified by,or shall be calibrated with sieves certified by,theNational Institute of Standards and Technology.For wet-sieving,use full-height 50-mm(2-in.)sieves;these sieves andpan may be used for dry-sieving also.Half-height 25-mm(1-in.)sieves and pan shall be used for dry-sieving only.Thesieves to be used may range from 45 m(No.325)through 212m(No.70).4.3 Drying Pans,about 205 mm(8 in.)in diameter and 25or 50 mm(1 or 2 in.)high.4.4 DryerFor drying,the use of an oven maintainedautomatically at 100 to 110C is recommended.4.5 Mechanical Shaking DeviceThe shaking device shallbe such as to produce a lateral and vertical motion of the sieve,accompanied by a jarring action so as to keep the samplemoving continuously over the surface of the sieve.4.6 In wet-sieving,the water should be slightly above roomtemperature(for example,a hot-cold mixer tap)and should besupplied by means of a fixed or hand-held spray.5.Sampling5.1 Unit for SamplingEach carload shall be considered aunit for sampling.5.2 Gross Sample(See Practice C322)In collecting thegross sample from a carload shipped in bags,select a numberof bags equivalent to not less than 1%of the total number of1This method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on CeramicWhitewares and Related Productsand is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeC21.04 on Raw Materials.Current edition approved Dec.15,2014.Published December 2014.Originallyapproved in 1955.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C371 09.DOI:10.1520/C0371-09R14.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 bags in the car.Bags taken for sampling shall be from locationsevenly distributed,horizontally and vertically,throughout thecar.The gross sample shall consist of equal increments of