EN ISO 18753:2017 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 18753:2017 - "Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) - Determination of absolute density of ceramic powders by pycnometer" defines a standardized liquid pycnometry method to measure the absolute particle density of fine ceramic powders or small sintered parts. Published by CEN as an adoption of ISO 18753:2017, the standard is intended for laboratories and manufacturers performing material characterization and quality control of advanced ceramics.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Measurement of absolute particle density of powders or small parts using a liquid-filled pycnometer (pyknometer).
• Sampling & sample size: Representative sampling in accordance with ISO 8213; particle/part size must be smaller than the pycnometer neck.
• Drying: Samples are dried (typical air-bath guidance ~110 °C) or dried under reduced pressure if thermally sensitive; mass loss may be recorded to confirm equilibrium.
• Immersion liquids: Non-reactive, non-dissolving liquids with good wetting and low evaporation. Permitted examples: distilled water, xylene (ISO 6353-3), ethanol (~95 %, ISO 6353-2), 1‑butanol (ISO 6353-3). Density of the liquid at test temperature must be determined (ISO 758); Annex A provides reference values for distilled water.
• Apparatus & instruments:
  • Glass Gay‑Lussac type pycnometer (25 ml or 50 ml) per ISO 3507 (or suitable alternative).
  • Vacuum container and vacuum pump (capable of ~666.5 Pa / 5 mmHg or better) or ultrasonic bath for degassing.
  • Balance with 0.1 mg sensitivity, thermometer to ±0.1 °C, vacuum gauge (0–26.66 kPa).
• Procedure: Weigh empty pycnometer, sample in pycnometer, add immersion liquid, degas (evacuation to ≤13.33 kPa / 100 mmHg or ultrasonic degassing) until no bubbles; allow thermal equilibrium, top up liquid, weigh, remove sample and re‑measure. Calculate absolute density using recorded masses and immersion liquid density.
• Accuracy & reporting: Liquid density often required to 0.0001 g/cm3; tests should be run in duplicate and documented in a test report.

Applications

• Quality control and batch acceptance for advanced ceramics and technical ceramic powders.
• Materials R&D and formulation (sintering behavior, porosity control, density-related property prediction).
• Supplier qualification, failure analysis and specification compliance for ceramics used in electronics, aerospace, medical, and industrial components.

Who would use this standard

• Materials scientists and ceramic engineers
• Quality control and metrology laboratories (including ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs)
• R&D teams in ceramics manufacturing, powder suppliers, and component producers

Related standards

• ISO 758 (liquid density by pycnometry)
• ISO 3507 (pycnometers)
• ISO 6353-2 / ISO 6353-3 (reagent specifications)
• ISO 8213 (sampling solid chemical products)
• ISO/IEC 17025 (laboratory competence)

Keywords: EN ISO 18753:2017, absolute density, ceramic powders, pycnometer, liquid pycnometry, fine ceramics, helium pycnometer, advanced ceramics, material characterization.