Overview
EN ISO 17172:2021 (identical to ISO 17172:2014) provides a standardized test method for determining the compaction properties of ceramic powders used in fine ceramics, advanced ceramics and advanced technical ceramics. The standard specifies how granulated or ungranulated ceramic powders are compacted under uniaxial compressive loading in a confining die and how to report the resulting apparent density and compaction curve (apparent density vs. compaction pressure). This method supports consistent evaluation of powder behavior during pressing and early-stage densification.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Extent to which powders compact under specified uniaxial pressures using double-action (mode 1) or single-action (mode 2) pressing.
- Apparatus:
- Cylindrical die made of hardened steel or tungsten carbide, floating or stationary types.
- Die sizes: diameters 10–26 mm (mode 1) and 10–32 mm (mode 2) with specified height/diameter ratios.
- Ejection cone (5 mm) to allow ~1% diameter increase at top of die.
- Press with force precision ±2 %, balance resolution ±0.001 g, micrometer resolution ±0.01 mm.
- Sampling and conditioning:
- Powders tested as-received or dried at (110 ± 5) °C for ≥24 h when required (do not dry powders containing organics/volatiles).
- Any pre-treatment must be recorded in the test report.
- Procedure essentials:
- Press three compacts per pressure level; maintain selected pressure for at least 10 s.
- Record punch displacement speed or force increase rate (affects apparent density).
- Decompress slowly (example: 10 mm/min) to avoid breakage; weigh and measure compacts for density calculation.
- Lubrication:
- Die-wall or powder lubrication options specified (e.g., stearic acid in acetone or 0.1–3.0 wt% solid lubricant).
- Lubrication significantly affects results and must be reported.
- Results:
- Calculate apparent density (ρa) and produce a compaction curve; single-pressure tests reported as ρa(pressure).
Applications
- Powder formulation and process development for sintered ceramics
- Quality control of powder batches and incoming materials
- Design and optimisation of pressing tools and die lubrication strategies
- Comparative evaluation of granulated vs. ungranulated powders
- Input data for simulation of powder compaction and densification
Who uses this standard
- Materials scientists and R&D teams in advanced ceramics
- Quality and test laboratories (including ISO/IEC 17025–accredited labs)
- Ceramic manufacturers, powder suppliers and press/tooling designers
Related standards
- ISO 17172:2014 (original international text adopted as EN ISO 17172:2021)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (laboratory competence) - normative reference
- Other ISO/CEN standards on fine ceramics and powder characterization (consult national standards bodies for specific references)
Keywords: EN ISO 17172:2021, ISO 17172:2014, compaction properties, ceramic powders, fine ceramics, uniaxial compressive loading, compaction curve, apparent density.