ISO TS 6857-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) — Physical properties of ceramic composites — Guidelines for determination of void and fibre contents in polished cross section by image analysis. This technical specification provides standardised procedures for using image analysis on polished cross sections to quantify area fractions of voids and fibres in continuous fibre‑reinforced ceramic matrix composites.

Abstract

ISO/TS 6857:2024 describes methods for determining void and fibre contents with specific orientation in a polished cross section of continuous fibre‑reinforced ceramic matrix composites by image analysis. The document covers bidirectional (2D) and tridirectional (3D) ceramic matrix composites and also applies to carbon‑fibre‑reinforced carbon matrix composites (C/C). It clarifies that results are reported as area content measured on the cross section rather than direct volume fractions.

General information

• Status: Published (Technical Specification).
• Publication date: February 2024 (Edition 1, 2024‑02 / published Feb 2024).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 81.060.30 (Fine ceramics / advanced ceramics / advanced technical ceramics).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (ISO/TS 6857:2024).
• Number of pages: 8 (as published by ISO; some distribution partners list variant page counts for packaged products).

Scope

This technical specification defines guideline procedures for image‑analysis measurement of area fractions of voids and of fibres with particular orientations on a prepared, polished cross section of continuous fibre‑reinforced ceramic matrix composites. It is intended for use with 2D (bidirectional) and 3D (tridirectional) ceramic matrix composite architectures and is explicitly applicable to carbon/carbon (C/C) composites. The specification does not convert measured area contents into true volume fractions (it reports area content only) and gives practical guidance on sample preparation, imaging and image processing to obtain representative and reproducible results.

Key topics and requirements

• Guidance on specimen preparation — polished cross sections suitable for optical or electron imaging.
• Recommended imaging methods and contrast considerations for reliable segmentation of fibres and voids.
• Image analysis procedures for calculation of area fraction of voids and area fraction of fibres by orientation category.
• Instructions on selection of representative areas and statistical considerations for reporting.
• Limitations and reporting conventions — results reported as area content (not direct volume content) and recommended statement of uncertainty and method details in reports.
• Applicability to ceramic matrix composites with continuous fibres including bidirectional and tridirectional architectures and carbon/carbon composites.

Typical use and users

Primary users include materials testing laboratories, quality assurance departments in advanced ceramics and composite manufacturers, research and development teams in aerospace, energy and automotive industries, and academic groups working on ceramic matrix composites. Typical uses are quality control, material development, failure analysis, and documentation of microstructural metrics for design and certification activities.

Related standards

ISO/TS 6857:2024 is part of the suite of standards and technical specifications maintained by ISO/TC 206 (fine ceramics). It complements other ISO test methods and guidance documents addressing physical properties, microstructural characterisation and test methods for ceramics and composite materials; users should consult the broader ISO/TC 206 catalogue and national implementations for related metallography, image‑analysis and composite testing standards.

Keywords

fine ceramics; advanced ceramics; ceramic matrix composites; continuous fibres; carbon/carbon (C/C); image analysis; polished cross section; void content; fibre content; area fraction; microstructure characterization.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TS 6857:2024 is a technical specification from ISO that provides guidelines for determining void and fibre area contents in polished cross sections of continuous fibre‑reinforced ceramic matrix composites using image analysis.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, imaging and image‑processing procedures to quantify area fractions of voids and fibres (including orientation‑specific fibre contents) on polished cross sections of bidirectional and tridirectional ceramic matrix composites and carbon/carbon composites. The document specifies that the measured quantity is area content on the section, not a direct volume fraction.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials test laboratories, ceramics and composite manufacturers, aerospace and energy industry materials engineers, academic researchers, and anyone needing standardised microstructural measurements of ceramic composite materials for QA, R&D, or certification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of its publication, ISO/TS 6857:2024 is a current published technical specification (Edition 1, published February 2024). Users should check the ISO catalogue or national standards body for any subsequent revisions or related national adoptions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is published under the scope of ISO/TC 206 (fine ceramics) and should be considered alongside other ISO standards and technical specifications addressing ceramic materials, physical properties and test methods; it is not indicated as one part of a numbered multi‑part series but complements other TC 206 documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are fine ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, image analysis, polished cross section, void content, fibre content, carbon/carbon, bidirectional, tridirectional, area fraction.