ISO 3310-3:1990

Overview - ISO 3310-3:1990 (Test sieves of electroformed sheets)

ISO 3310-3:1990 specifies the technical requirements and test methods for test sieves whose sieve bottoms are made from electroformed metal sheets. This part of ISO 3310 covers sieve construction, dimensional limits, inspection procedures and handling/cleaning recommendations for very fine apertures - suitable for precision particle size analysis and laboratory control sieving.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and materials
  • Applies to circular and square apertures formed in electroformed metal sheets. Typical nominal opening sizes are given in ISO 565 and in ISO 3310-3 are indicated from about 500 µm down to 5 µm.
• Aperture arrangement
  • Round holes: arranged with centers at the vertices of equilateral triangles (staggered triangular array).
  • Square holes: arranged in a square grid (centers at square vertices).
• Dimensional tolerances
  • Tolerance on each aperture dimension is ±2 µm (applies to diameter of round holes and median of square holes).
  • Preferred pitches (entrance/centre-to-centre distances) and sheet thicknesses are given in tabulated form.
• Verification and inspection
  • Visual check on a uniformly lit background to detect irregular openings.
  • Dimensional measurement on nine measurement fields; at least five apertures measured per field.
  • For apertures ≥32 µm: use microscope (×20) with an eyepiece micrometer (10–12.5 power) and measuring device capable of ±0.5 µm accuracy. Methods for apertures <32 µm are noted as under study.
• Construction and marking
  • Frames should be circular, stainless steel or suitable material; supports must align openings to avoid particle pockets.
  • Identification plate must show aperture shape, nominal size, standard reference, materials, responsible party and manufacturer ID.
• Handling and cleaning (Annex A, informative)
  • Handle with care; avoid brushing or compressed air.
  • Recommended cleaning by vertical immersion in suitable liquid (e.g., alcohol or demineralized water) often with an ultrasonic bath (15–20 s at ≥40 kHz, up to 40 W), rinse and dry below 80 °C.

Applications and users

ISO 3310-3 is directly relevant for:

• Laboratory quality control and particle size analysis in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, minerals, cement, and materials research
• Manufacturers of precision test sieves and sieve frames
• Calibration and testing laboratories that certify sieves for particle-size testing
• Standards and quality departments specifying acceptance criteria for fine sieving equipment

Related standards

• ISO 3310 (other parts):
  • Part 1 - woven wire cloth sieves
  • Part 2 - perforated metal plate sieves
• ISO 565:1990 - nominal dimensions of apertures (referenced for aperture sizes)

Keywords: ISO 3310-3:1990, test sieves, electroformed sheets, sieve tolerances, particle size analysis, sieve inspection, ISO 565.