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VAMAS TWA #3
Project #5: Grain Size and Volume Fraction Round Robin
Quantitative Microscopy I
Organized as a joint CEN/VAMAS Project by the National Physical Laboratory, UK (Dr. Morrell) and Center for Technical Ceramics, Univ. Eindhoven, the Netherlands (Dr. Dortmans).

Objective

Determine suitability of conventional quantitative microcopy methods on ceramics.
Try Automated Image Analysis if participant has it available.

Approach

Measure mean grain size, grain size distribution and percent porosity by several methods. Line intercept (circles and straight lines) and point counting methods. Participants were given a computer drawn microstructure, photos, and specimens of two different aluminas.

Outcome

Round Robin Completed. 20 laboratories participated.
Round robin was set up, conducted, and a final report prepared within 1 year!

Principal Findings

Important conclusions for proper analysis were identified. The scatter due to specimen and photo preparation, and photo interpretation were distinguished from random sampling scatter. Only a few members attempted AIA.

Standards Impact
Results were used to prepare the new CEN standard:
ENV 623 Methods of Test for Advanced Technical Ceramics: General and Textural Properties; Part 1, Determination of Grain Size

Publications
  1. L. Dortmans, R. Morrell, and G. de With, "CEN-VAMAS Round Robin on Grain Size Measurement for Advanced Technical Ceramics," VAMAS Technical Report #12, Dec. 1992, (Available from NPL, UK).
  2. L. Dortmans, R. Morrell, and G. de With, "Round Robin on Grain Size Measurement for Advanced Technical Ceramics," J. Eur. Ceram. Soc., 1993.
  3. L. J. M. G. Dortmans, R. Morrell, and G. De With, "Round Robin on Grain Size Measurement for Advanced Technical Ceramics," pp. 601-608 in New Horizons for Materials, Proceedings of the 8th World Ceramic Congress, CIMTEC, Florence, Italy, ed P. Vincenzini, Techna, Faenza, 1995.
For more information or copies of the reports, contact:
Dr. L. Dortmans, CTK, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, P.O. Box 5955600 AN Eindhoven, the NETHERLANDS , Tel: (+31) 40 445619, email: dortmans@tpd.tno.nl
or
Dr. Roger Morrell, Bldg. 13,National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 OLW, UNITED KINGDOM, Tel: (+44) 181 943 6381, email: rm@npl.co.uk


The VAMAS TWA #3 Round Robins Between 1987 and 1999.

Click on the numbered projects in the image below for round robin details.



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