scope:

This guide describes procedures appropriate for measuring the porosity of powder metallurgy products using light optical microscopy and automated image analysis.

The porosity is expressed as an area percentage.

Automated image analysis is useful in determining local differences in porosity that may result from compaction, sintering, or other operations such as infiltration, repressing, or surface densification.

NOTE 1-This test method is for the measurement of porosity not density. Calculating density based on the percentage of porosity can be misleading.

This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the potential safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.