ISO 13317-2-2001 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 13317-2:2001 — Determination of particle size distribution by gravitational liquid sedimentation methods — Part 2: Fixed pipette method. Specifies a fixed-pipette sampling procedure and associated calculation steps for determining particle size distribution of powders dispersed in a liquid by gravitational sedimentation.

Abstract

This part of ISO 13317 describes the fixed pipette (pipette sampling) technique to determine particle size distributions by gravitational sedimentation in a liquid. The method is intended for powders that can be dispersed in a liquid or occur as slurries, typically for particle sizes in roughly the 1 μm to 100 μm range, and assumes particles are denser than the liquid and do not undergo chemical or physical change in the suspension. The procedure covers sample preparation, dispersion, timed sedimentation, pipette sampling at defined depths/times and conversion of sedimentation data to size distribution.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed in periodic review).
• Publication date: April 2001 (Edition 1).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 19.120 (Particle size analysis. Sieving).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2001).
• Number of pages: 9.

Key bibliographic and status details from the ISO record.

Scope

Specifies a fixed-pipette gravitational sedimentation method for determining particle size distribution of powders dispersed in a liquid or in slurry form. Applicable where particles have similar density and comparable shape, remain chemically and physically stable in the chosen suspension liquid, and are denser than the liquid. Typical measurable size range is approximately 1 μm to 100 μm (practical limits depend on material properties and experimental arrangement). The method does not cover centrifugal, electric or magnetic migration methods or high-concentration (zone) sedimentation.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle of gravitational sedimentation and conversion of settling velocity to equivalent spherical diameter.
• Sample preparation and dispersion requirements to obtain a representative suspension.
• Fixed pipette sampling protocol (depths, timing and repeat sampling) and handling of sampled aliquots.
• Calculation procedures to derive particle size distribution from pipette data (mass/volume fractions vs diameter).
• Assumptions and limitations: uniform particle density, negligible particle–liquid reactions, low concentration to avoid hindered settling.
• Equipment and measurement requirements (pipettes, timing, sedimentation column, temperature control) and safety considerations for hazardous liquids.

Typical use and users

Used by analytical and quality-control laboratories in industries such as pharmaceuticals, ceramics, pigments/coatings, minerals and materials research where particle-size distributions in the ~1–100 μm range are required. Typical users are laboratory technicians, quality managers, process engineers and researchers performing routine QC, method validation or inter-laboratory comparison studies.

Related standards

ISO 13317 is a multipart series. Closely related parts include: ISO 13317-1 (general principles, requirements and guidance — note Part 1:2001 has been superseded by a more recent revision in 2024), ISO 13317-3 (X‑ray gravitational technique) and ISO 13317-4 (balance method, 2014). These parts together define alternative gravitational-sedimentation approaches and the overall framework for method selection, validation and reporting.

Keywords

particle size distribution; gravitational sedimentation; pipette method; fixed pipette; sedimentation analysis; particle sizing; suspensions; slurries; sample preparation; ISO 13317.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 13317-2:2001 is an international standard that specifies the fixed-pipette gravitational liquid sedimentation method for determining particle size distribution of powders dispersed in liquids.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample dispersion and pipette-sampling procedures, timing and depth specifications, calculation of size distribution from sedimentation/pipette data, and limitations and assumptions required for valid results (e.g., particle density > liquid density, low concentration, no chemical change in liquid).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Analytical labs and QC groups in pharmaceuticals, ceramics, pigments/coatings, minerals and general materials science; users include lab technicians, QA/QC engineers and researchers requiring standardized gravitational-sedimentation sizing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 13317-2:2001 is a published International Standard and — according to the ISO record — was reviewed and confirmed in periodic reviews (most recently confirmed during the 2022 review cycle), so the 2001 edition remains the current edition of Part 2. Users should check ISO and national bodies for any later revisions or amendments before relying on the standard for compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 13317 is a multipart series covering gravitational liquid sedimentation methods. Part 1 covers general principles and guidance (a newer revision of Part 1 was published in 2024), Part 2 is the fixed pipette method, Part 3 covers an X‑ray gravitational technique and Part 4 the balance method.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Particle size distribution; gravitational sedimentation; fixed pipette; sedimentation column; sample dispersion; particle sizing.