ASTM E161-17(2021) PDF

Overview

ASTM E161-17(2021): Standard Specification for Electroformed Material and Test Sieves provides comprehensive requirements for the design, construction, and certification of electroformed sieves and sieve materials. These sieves are essential for particle-size distribution analysis and preparation of narrowly defined particle-size fractions in laboratory and industrial settings. Electroformed sieves, typically made from nickel or suitable electrodeposited metals, are prized for their precision and reliability. This standard ensures that such sieves meet consistent quality criteria, making them suitable not only for testing but also as reference standards when properly certified.

Key Topics

• Material Requirements: Electroformed sieves must be constructed from nickel or metals that facilitate electrodeposition in a firm crystalline structure. The openings in these materials are required to be square or round, with straight, uniform sides and smooth, flat surfaces.
• Design and Construction: Sieve frames are specified to be made of non-corrosive materials such as brass or stainless steel, ensuring rigidity and longevity. Both standard circular frames and non-standard frames (which may be square, rectangular, or circular) are covered.
• Precision and Tolerances: The standard defines rigorous dimensional tolerances for mesh openings and line widths. Table 1 in the standard details permissible variations for precision sieves, ensuring consistent mesh sizes for accurate particle-size analysis.
• Product Marking and Certification: Every sieve is required to bear a permanent label indicating the ASTM designation, nominal opening size, manufacturer or distributor, and a unique serial number. Certification procedures, including microscopic inspection and measurement, are detailed in Annex A1.
• Cleaning and Maintenance: Proper cleaning methods are specified to prevent damage to the sieve sheet and preserve its precision, including the use of ultrasonic cleaning and recommended repair procedures for damaged sieves.

Applications

Electroformed test sieves manufactured under ASTM E161-17(2021) are used in:

• Particle-Size Distribution Analysis: Essential for laboratory testing in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, minerals, and cement, where precise particle sizing is critical for quality control and process efficiency.
• Preparation of Particle-Size Fractions: Used to obtain specific fractions of material for further testing or manufacturing processes, ensuring uniformity in sample preparation.
• Reference Standards: When suitably certified, electroformed sieves can serve as reference standards in laboratories and testing facilities for calibration and verification of particle-size analysis equipment.
• Research and Development: Enables high-resolution separation of fine powders and particles for scientific studies and industrial innovation.

Related Standards

The following ASTM standards are closely associated with ASTM E161-17(2021):

• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves. Compliments E161 for applications requiring woven test sieves.
• ASTM C430: Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve.
• ASTM E323: Specification for Perforated-Plate Sieves for Testing Purposes.
• ASTM E1638: Terminology Relating to Sieves, Sieving Methods, and Screening Media. Provides definitions and terminology applicable to this standard.

Practical Value

Compliance with ASTM E161-17(2021) guarantees the quality and consistency of electroformed test sieves, vital for reliable particle-size analysis. These sieves support stringent quality control, facilitate compliance with international testing standards, and help laboratories and manufacturers achieve repeatable, traceable results across a range of applications.

Keywords: ASTM E161, electroformed sieve, test sieve, particle size analysis, laboratory testing, particle-size distribution, reference standards, sieve calibration.