Designation: B 610 93

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Test Method for

Measuring Dimensional Change of Metal Powder Specimens

Due to Sintering1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 610; 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.

5.1.1 Characteristic to classify metal powders or differentiate one type or grade of metal powder from another.
5.1.2 Means of comparison of metal powder, lot to lot.
5.1.3 Guide in the design of tooling that will form the
powder into useful shapes.
5.1.4 Factor in determining the effect of additions to a base
metal powder.
5.1.5 Factor in determining the effect of process variations.
5.2 When the test is used as a comparison, it is necessary to
run control bars and test bars at the same time. The control bars
must be from a reference lot of the same material.
5.3 Factors known to affect size change are the test bar
process conditions of green density, sinter time, sinter temperature, sinter atmosphere, level of additions to the base metal
powder, lubricant type, powder grade, powder type, and
powder lot.

1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the
change in dimensions that occurs as a result of sintering a metal
powder specimen. The size change referred to is the difference
between the die size and the size of the sintered specimen after
it has cooled to room temperature, expressed as a percentage.
This size change is a basic characteristic of the metal powder.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The SI equivalents are in parentheses and may
be approximate.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B 215 Practices for Sampling Finished Lots of Metal Powders2
B 243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy2
B 312 Test Method for Green Strength for Compacted
Metal Powder Specimens2

6. Apparatus
6.1 Inasmuch as the purpose of running dimensional change
tests is to approve metal powders for production, consideration
should be given to the use of production methods, processes,
and equipment in making these tests.
6.2 The apparatus used shall consist of the following:
6.2.1 Balance, suitable for weighing accurately to 0.01 g.
6.2.2 Mixer, capable of thorough and controlled mixing of
metal powders and lubricants.
6.2.3 Compression-Testing Machine or Powder Press, capable of applying the required pressure to produce the test
specimen.
6.2.4 Punches and Die, for producing a test specimen. Tools
for producing the preferred specimen are shown in Fig. 1 of
Test Method B 312.
6.2.5 Micrometers, capable of measuring the necessary
dimensions to 0.0001 in. (0.0025 mm).
6.2.6 Sintering Furnace, capable of maintaining a specified
work temperature and having controlled atmosphere and a
water-jacketed cooling zone. A vacuum furnace is also permitted.

3. Terminology
3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this test
method, see Terminology B 243.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Test bars are made from the metal powders under
consideration by pressing and sintering. A control standard
composed of at least three bars from an approved standard of
the same powder is run with the test bars. Tests of the control
bars and the test bars are made at the same time.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The test for size change that occurs in a metal powder
specimen as a result of sintering is useful in the following as a:

7. Test Specimen
7.1 The green test specimen, having nominal dimensions of
0.500 in. (12.70 mm) wide by 1.250 in. (31.75 mm) long by
0.250 in. (6.35 mm) thick as described in Test Method B 312 is
the recommended test specimen.

This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B-9 on Metal
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B09.02 on Base Metal Powders.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1993. Published April 1993. Originally
published as B 610 76. Last previous edition B 610 85 (1988)e1.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.05.

B 610
10. Report
10.1 The dimensional change (Dt and DSt) shall be reported
as percent dimensional change from die size including the sign
of + for growth or for shrinkage. The comparative dimensional change, D 5 Dt DSt, including sign, shall be reported.
The average of three test specimens shall be reported.
10.2 The following supplementary information must also be
reported for clarification:
10.2.1 Identification of powder, brand, grade, and lot number,
10.2.2 Chemistry of powder mix used if other than elemental powders are being tested,
10.2.3 Type brand and percent of lubricant or the additives,
10.2.4 Green density,
10.2.5 Sintering temperature,
10.2.6 Sintering time, as defined as the elapsed time for the
heated specimen to be within 6 15F of the stated sintering
temperature for iron and 610F for copper base, and
10.2.7 Furnace atmosphere.
10.3 The dimensional change, DSt, of the standard bars
should be within the limits agreed upon between the parties
concerned in order to have a valid test.

8. Procedure
8.1 Measure the long dimension of the die cavity to 0.0001
in. (0.0025 mm). Note this dimension, LD, for future reference.
8.2 The powder mix composition, together with type and
percentage of lubricant (if used) must be specified and agreed
upon between the parties concerned. Obtain a representative
sample of powder in accordance with Practices B 215.
8.3 Compact test specimens to a uniform specified density.
Pressing procedures shall be agreed upon between parties
concerned or in accordance with Test Method B 312.
8.4 Sinter the test bars and the control bars at the same time
using a furnace, heat-up rate, sintering time, sintering temperature, atmosphere, and cooling rate agreed upon by the parties
concerned.
8.5 Measure the long dimension of the sintered bars to
0.0001 in. (0.0025 mm). Note this dimension, LS, for later
calculation use.
9. Calculation
9.1 Calculate the percent dimensional change for both the
standard powder and the test powder as follows:
Dt or DSt 2, % 5 @~LS 2 LD!/LD# 3 100

where:
Dt
DSt
LD
LS

(1)

11. Precision and Bias

11.1 The precision and bias of this test method is currently
under development in Subcommittee B09.02 on Base Metal
Powders.

5
5
5
5

D 5 Dt DSt

dimensional change for the test lot,

dimensional change for the standard lot,
die cavity dimension (see 8.1),
sintered specimen dimension (see 8.5),
and
5 comparative dimensions change.

12. Keywords
12.1 die size; dimensional change; metal powders; sintering

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