Developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO), the ISO 12103-1 standard defines the particle size distribution and chemical content limits for four grades of test powder made from Arizona desert sand.
Arizona Test Powder was published on December 15, 1997 as powder definition, designation, particle size distribution, particle size analysis procedure, and chemical content. The purpose of producing a separate standard for the definition of test powder was to provide a simple and accurate test powder reference for use in other standards or documents where the use of test powder is required. Future revisions of ISO 12103-1 will accommodate changes in technology that affect test powder production processes and ensure product consistency for years to come.
Four Grade Test Powder for ISO 12103-1
A1 Ultra Fine Test Powder is nominal 0-10 micron size. It was originally developed to test automotive cabin air filters. Although not currently specified as a suitable pollutant for cabin air filters, it is used as a test pollutant for fuel system components, water filter performance evaluation and other specialty applications. ISO Ultrafine test powder is a ground and graded product that results in a lower submicron content than that found in ISO 12103-1,A2 Fine Test Powder.
A2 Fine Test Powder is in nominal 0-80 micron size. ISO Fine Powder, prior to the creation of this Standard, Powder Technology Inc. It is the same as the SAE Fine Test Powder manufactured by The basis for acceptable particle size limits specified in ISO 12103-1, A2 is Powder Technology, Inc. It is derived from the analysis of eight batches of SAE Fine Test Powder produced between 1992 and 1994 by One view of the volume differential particle size data is the modal distribution with approximate peaks of two - 4 and 20 microns in size.
A3 Medium Test Powder is nominal 12103-1 micron size with 2-0 micron lower content than ISO 5-0,A80 Fine Test Powder. Medium Test Powder is the same as the old SAE 806-5 Micrometer Test Powder specified in the SAE HS J80 Oil Filter Test Procedure. The basis for acceptable particle size limits specified in ISO 12103-1,A3 is Powder Technology Inc. It was obtained from multiple samples of two previous series of SAE 5-80 Micrometer Test Powders manufactured by this type of powder was produced before 12103 when the ISO 1-1994 particle size limits were set.
A4 Coarse Test Powder is in nominal 0-180 micron size. ISO Coarse Test Powder was used by Powder Technology Inc. prior to the creation of this Standard. It is the same as the SAE Coarse Test Powder produced by The basis for acceptable particle size limits specified in ISO 12103-1,A4 is derived from analysis of 1992 batches of SAE Coarse Test Powder produced between 1994 and 8.
The Multisizer IIe analyzer measures particles separately by volume (mass). For analysis, the particles are suspended in an electrolyte solution. The suspension is mixed and drawn through an opening using a vacuum source. Particles are measured as they pass through the opening. Particle size limits specified in accordance with ISO 12103-1 are expressed as a percentage of cumulative volume.
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