Designation: E 11 – 09

Standard Specification for

Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 11; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope E 2427 Test Method for Acceptance by Performance Test-

1.1 This document specifies the technical requirements for; ing of U.S. Standard Test Sieves
the woven wire test sieve cloth (sieve cloth) used in test sieves, 2.2 Federal Standard:
the construction of test sieves, standard and non-standard test Fed. Std. No. 123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)3
sieve frame sizes, and test procedures used to inspect sieve 2.3 Military Standard:
cloth and the test sieves. This Specification applies to test MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage3
sieves manufactured with sieve cloth having a nominal aper- 2.4 ISO Standard:
ture size ranging from 125 millimeters (mm) down to 20 ISO 3310-1 Test Sieves—Technical Requirements and Test-
micrometers (µm). ing – Part 1: Test Sieves of Metal Wire Cloth4
1.2 Additional reference information can be found in Speci- 3. Terminology
fications E 161, E 323, E 2016, and in Test Methods C 430 and
E 2427. 3.1 Definitions:
1.3 The values stated in SI units shall be considered 3.1.1 aperture—the dimension defining an opening in a
standard for the dimensions of the sieve cloth openings and the screening surface.
wire diameters used in the sieve cloth. The values stated in 3.1.2 crimp—the corrugation in the warp and shute wire, or
inch-pound units shall be considered standard with regard to both. The crimp in the wires is formed either during the
the sieve frames, pans, and covers. weaving process, or with a crimping machine prior to weaving.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the If formed during the weaving process, the tension existing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the between the warp and shute wires fundamentally determines
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- the respective amount or depth of crimp, which locks the wires
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- in place, and in part establishes the firmness of the sieve cloth.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.3 firmness—a subjective term referring to the planar
rigidity of sieve cloth (as a roll good, not mounted in a test
2. Referenced Documents sieve frame), established by the tensile strength of the material,
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 the relationship of the mesh to wire diameters, the type of
C 430 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by weave, and amount of crimp in the wires. The absence of
the 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve firmness in sieve cloth is termed sleaziness.
E 161 Specification for Precision Electroformed Sieves 3.1.4 matched test sieve—a test sieve that reproduces the
E 323 Specification for Perforated-Plate Sieves for Testing performance results of another test sieve within user defined
Purposes limits for a designated material (for information only and may
E 1638 Terminology Relating to Sieves, Sieving Methods not be in compliance with this Specification).
and Screening Media 3.1.5 mesh—the number of wires or openings per linear
E 2016 Specification for Industrial Woven Wire Cloth inch (25.4 mm) counted from the center of any wire to a point
exactly 1 in. (25.4 mm) distant, including the fractional
distance between either thereof.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E29 on Particle 3.1.6 plain weave—sieve cloth in which the warp wires and
and Spray Characterization and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E29.01 shute wires pass over one and under one in both directions.
on Sieves, Sieving Methods, and Screening Media.
Current edition approved May 1, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally
3
approved in 1925. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E 11 – 04. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.dodssp.daps.mil.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

Copyright © ASTM International. 100 Barr Harbour Dr. PO box C-700 West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, United States

1
 E 11 – 09
3.1.7 shute wires—the wires running the short way of, or 5. Sieve Cloth Requirements
across the cloth as woven (also referred to as the shoot, fill, or 5.1 The sieve cloth used in test sieves shall meet the
weft wires). requirements of Table 1 and shall be designated Specification
3.1.8 sieve—an apparatus for the purpose of sieving, con- E 11 Sieve Cloth. The number of inspected apertures shall be
sisting of a separating media mounted in a frame. in accordance with Table 1 (Column 7). Sieve cloth conform-
3.1.9 sieve cloth—woven wire cloth conforming to this ing to this specification shall be woven from stainless steel,
specification. brass, or bronze. Sieve cloth with openings greater than or
3.1.10 test sieve (wire cloth)—a sieve manufactured by equal to 75 micrometers shall be woven using a plain weave.
mounting sieve cloth in a frame, designed for use in particle For sieve cloth with openings equal to or less than 63
size analysis by sieving. micrometers the sieve cloth may be supplied using a twill
3.1.11 compliance test sieve—a test sieve manufactured weave. The sieve cloth shall not be coated or plated.
using sieve cloth which has been inspected prior to being 5.2 All measurements of openings and wire diameters shall
mounted in the sieve frame; and that meets the requirements of be made along the midpoints of the openings as shown in Fig.
Table 1 in part based on the standard deviation of the required 1.
number of sample openings per 100 square feet of sieve cloth 5.3 There shall be no punctures or obvious defects in the
(column 7) not exceeding the maximum allowable for a sieve cloth.
confidence level of 66% (column 8). 5.4 Test sieves can be supplied based on different levels of
3.1.12 inspection test sieve—a test sieve manufactured us- confidence as Compliance Sieves, Inspection Sieves, and
ing sieve cloth which has been inspected after being mounted Calibration Sieves. Calibration sieves have had at least twice as
in the sieve frame; and that meets the requirements of Table 1 many openings measured as Inspection sieves.
in part based on the standard deviation of the required number 5.5 Each test sieve must be examined and found to be free
of sample openings in the test sieve (column 9) not exceeding of manufacturing defects.
the maximum allowable for a confidence level of 99% (column
10). 6. Technical Requirements
3.1.13 calibration test sieve—a test sieve manufactured
using sieve cloth which has been inspected after being mounted 6.1 Opening Sizes, Tolerances, and Standard Deviation:
in the sieve frame; and that meets the requirements of Table 1 6.1.1 Four tolerances shall be applied: the variation for
in part based on the standard deviation of the required number average opening (Y), the maximum variation (X), the maximum
of sample openings in the test sieve (column 11) not exceeding standard deviation and the wire diameter. The opening toler-
the maximum allowable for a confidence level of 99.73% ances apply to the opening sizes, measured on the midpoint of
(column 12). the opening (see Fig. 1), and applied separately in both the
3.1.14 twill weave—sieve cloth in which the warp wires and warp and shute directions.
shute wires pass over two and under two wires in both 6.1.2 The average opening size shall not exceed the sieve
directions. designation by more than 6Y (Table 1, Column 4):
3.1.15 warp wires—the wires running the long way of the w0.98
Y 5 27 1 1.6 (1)
cloth as woven.
3.2 Additional terms can be found in Terminology E 1638. where Y and w are expressed in micrometers.
6.1.3 The maximum opening size measured shall not exceed
4. Ordering Information the nominal opening size w (Table 1, Column 1), by more than
4.1 Orders for items under this specification should include X (Table 1, Column 5):
the following information as required: 2~w0.75!
4.1.1 Description of item(s) (Test Sieve or Sieve Cloth), X5 3 1 4w0.25 (2)
4.1.2 ASTM E 11 designation and year of issue,
4.1.3 Quantity of each item, and where X and w are expressed in micrometers.
4.1.4 Sieve designation (Table 1, Standard Column 1, Al- 6.1.4 The intermediate value Z shall be stated as follows:
ternate Column 2). Z 5 ~X 1 Y! / 2 (3)
4.2 Test sieves in standard circular frame: 6.1.5 The maximum standard deviation is calculated based
4.2.1 Nominal sieve frame diameter (see Table 2), and on the Gaussian normal distribution curve, where the area
4.2.2 Nominal sieve frame height (see Table 2). under the curve to the maximum value X minus the area under
4.3 For sieve cloth not in frames or in nonstandard frames: the curve to the intermediate value Z, is equal to this critical
4.3.1 Sieve cloth designation, and area between (w + Z) and (w + X) not exceeding more than 5 %
4.3.2 Description of nonstandard frame. of the openings (see Appendix X2). The resulting tolerances
4.4 For U.S. Government purchases, if supplementary re- for sigma are given in Table 1 for Compliance sieve cloth
quirements apply: (Column 8).
4.4.1 Compatible sieve pans and covers, and 6.1.5.1 In order to increase the probability or acceptance
4.4.2 Special requirements (specific type of metal for sieve confidence level from 66 % at one-sigma to Xs, specifically
cloth and frames, test sieve designation and or matched sieves 99 % (2.58s) and 99.73 % (3s) for Inspection and Calibration
for example). sieves respectively, these maximum standard deviation values

2
 E 11 – 09
TABLE 1 Nominal Dimensions and Permissible Variations for Sieve Cloth and Compliance, Inspection and Calibration Test Sieves
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
Permissible Range
Sieve Designation Nominal 6Y +X Resulting Compliance Sieves Inspection Sieves Calibration Sieves
Typical of Choice
Sieve Variation Maximum Maximum
Wire
Opening for Average Variation Individual Sample Maximum Sample Maximum Sample Maximum
Standard Alternative (in.) Opening for Opening Opening Openings Standard Openings Standard Openings Standard Diameter Min Max
per 100 ft2 Deviation per Sieve Deviation per Sieve Deviation
millimeter inches millimeter millimeter millimeter millimeter
125 5 in. 5 3.66 4.51 129.51 20 – all – all – 8 6.8 9.2
106 4.24 in. 4.24 3.12 3.99 109.99 20 – all – all – 6.3 5.4 7.2
100 4 in. 4 2.94 3.82 103.82 20 – all – all – 6.3 5.4 7.2
90 31⁄2 in. 3.5 2.65 3.53 93.53 20 – all – all – 6.3 5.4 7.2
75 3 in. 3 2.22 3.09 78.09 20 – all – all – 6.3 5.4 7.2
63 21⁄2 in. 2.5 1.87 2.71 65.71 20 – all – all – 5.6 4.8 6.4
53 2.12 in. 2.12 1.58 2.39 55.39 20 – all . all – 5 4.3 5.8
50 2 in. 2 1.49 2.29 52.29 20 – all – all – 5 4.3 5.8
45 13⁄4 in. 1.75 1.35 2.12 47.12 20 . all – all – 4.5 3.8 5.2
37.5 11⁄2 in. 1.5 1.13 1.85 39.35 20 1.374 all – all – 4.5 3.8 5.2
31.5 11⁄4 in. 1.25 0.95 1.63 33.13 20 1.066 all – all – 4 3.4 4.6
26.5 1.06 in. 1.06 0.802 1.44 27.94 20 0.869 15 0.584 all – 3.55 3 4.1
25 1.00 in. 1 0.758 1.38 26.38 20 0.823 15 0.553 all – 3.55 3 4.1
22.4 7⁄8 in. 0.875 0.681 1.27 23.67 150 0.734 15 0.493 all – 3.55 3 4.1
19 3⁄4 in. 0.750 0.579 1.13 20.13 150 0.622 15 0.418 30 0.446 3.15 2.7 3.5
16 5⁄8 in. 0.625 0.490 0.99 16.99 150 0.527 15 0.354 30 0.378 3.15 2.7 3.6
13.2 0.530 in. 0.530 0.406 0.86 14.06 150 0 441 15 0.296 30 0.316 2.8 2.4 3.2
12.5 1⁄2 in. 0.500 0.385 0.83 13.33 150 0.421 15 0.283 30 0.302 2.5 2.1 2.9
11.2 7⁄16 in. 0.438 0.346 0.77 11.97 150 0.382 15 0.256 30 0.274 2.5 2.1 2.9
9.5 3⁄8 in. 0.375 0.295 0.68 10.18 150 0.330 15 0.222 30 0.237 2.24 1.9 2.6
8 5⁄16 in. 0.312 0.249 0.60 8.60 150 0.284 15 0.191 30 0.204 2 1.7 2.3
6.7 0.265 in. 0.265 0.210 0.53 7.23 150 0.245 15 0.164 30 0.175 1.8 1.5 2.1
6.3 1⁄4 in. 0.250 0.197 0.51 6.81 150 0.233 15 0.157 30 0.167 1.8 1.5 2.1
5.6 No. 31⁄2 0.223 0.176 0.47 6.07 150 0.211 15 0.142 30 0.151 1.6 1.3 1.9
4.75 No. 4 0.187 0.150 0.41 5.16 150 0.182 15 0.123 30 0.131 1.6 1.3 1.9
4 No. 5 0.157 0.127 0.37 4.37 150 0.161 15 0.108 30 0.115 1.4 1.2 1.7
3.35 No. 6 0.132 0.107 0.32 3.67 200 0.138 20 0.097 40 0.103 1.25 1.06 1.5
2.8 No. 7 0.110 0.090 0.29 3.09 200 0.121 20 0.085 40 0.090 1.12 0.95 1.3
2.36 No. 8 0.0937 0.076 0.25 2.61 200 0.104 20 0.073 40 0.077 1 0.85 1.15
2 No. 10 0.0787 0.065 0.23 2.23 250 0.094 25 0.068 50 0.072 0.9 0.77 1.04
1.7 No. 12 0.0661 0.056 0.20 1.90 250 0.081 25 0.059 50 0.062 0.8 0.68 0.92
1.4 No. 14 0.0555 0.046 0.18 1.58 400 0.071 40 0.055 80 0.057 0.71 0.6 0.82
1.18 No. 16 0.0469 0.040 0.16 1.34 400 0.063 40 0.049 80 0.051 0.63 0.54 0.72
1 No. 18 0.0394 0.034 0.14 1.14 400 0.055 40 0.042 80 0.044 0.56 0.48 0.64
micrometer inches micrometer micrometer micrometer micrometer
850 No. 20 0.0331 29.1 127 977 400 48.76 40 37.73 80 39.36 0.5 0.43 0.58
710 No. 25 0.0278 24.7 112 822 500 42.63 50 33.82 100 35.14 0.45 0.38 0.52
600 No. 30 0.0234 21.2 101 701 500 38.00 50 30.14 100 31.32 0.4 0.34 0.46
500 No. 35 0.0197 18.0 89 589 600 33.23 60 26.85 120 27.82 0.315 0.27 0.36
425 No. 40 0.0165 15.5 81 506 600 29.95 60 24.20 120 25.08 0.28 0.24 0.32
355 No. 45 0.0139 13.3 72 427 800 26.45 80 21.95 160 22.64 0.224 0.19 0.26
300 No. 50 0.0117 11.5 65 365 800 23.70 80 19.66 160 20.29 0.2 0.17 0.23
250 No. 60 0.0098 9.9 58 308 800 21.02 80 17.44 160 17.99 0.16 0.13 0.19
212 No. 70 0.0083 8.7 52 264 800 18.79 80 15.59 160 16.08 0.14 0.12 0.17
180 No. 80 0.0070 7.6 47 227 1000 16.85 100 14.24 200 14.65 0.125 0.106 0.15
150 No. 100 0.0059 6.6 43 193 1000 15.30 100 12.93 200 13.30 0.1 0.085 0.115
125 No. 120 0.0049 5.8 38 163 1000 13.51 100 11.41 200 11.74 0.09 0.077 0.104
106 No. 140 0.0041 5.2 35 141 1000 12.39 100 10.47 200 10.77 0.071 0.06 0.082
90 No. 170 0.0035 4.6 32 122 1000 11.27 100 9.53 200 9.80 0.063 0.054 0.072
75 No. 200 0.0029 4.1 29 104 1000 10.23 100 8.64 250 9.02 0.05 0.043 0.058
63 No. 230 0.0025 3.7 26 89 1000 9.18 100 7.76 250 8.09 0.045 0.038 0.052
53 No. 270 0.0021 3.4 24 77 1000 8.44 100 7.13 250 7.44 0.036 0.031 0.041
45 No. 325 0.0017 3.1 22 67 1000 7.76 100 6.56 250 6.84 0.032 0.027 0.037
38 No. 400 0.0015 2.9 20 58 1000 7.09 100 5.99 300 6.31 0.03 0.024 0.035
32 No. 450 0.0012 2.7 18 50 1000 6.42 100 5.42 300 5.71 0.028 0.023 0.033
25 No. 500 0.0010 2.5 16 41 1000 5.71 100 4.82 300 5.06 0.025 0.021 0.029
20 No. 635 0.0008 2.3 15 35 1000 5.33 100 4.51 300 4.75 0.02 0.017 0.023

Column 3—These numbers are only approximate but are in use for reference; the sieve shall be identified by the standard designation in millimeters or micrometers.
Columns 9 and 11—See Annex A1, which specifies that all openings will be inspected for test sieves having 15 openings or less.
Columns 9 and 11 - These number of sample openings are based on an 89 diameter test sieve.

3
 E 11 – 09
TABLE 2 Dimensions of Standard Frames 6.1.6.2 The sample standard deviation s is calculated from
Nominal Mean Diameter, in. (mm) Typical FrameA the measurement of the number of apertures, n as listed in
Diameter, Nominal Height, Table 1 (Column 8 for sieve cloth, Column 10 for Inspection
in. Inside at TopB Outside on Skirt
in. (mm) Sieves, and Column 12 for Calibration Sieve), using the
3 3.000 + 0.030/−0.000 3.000 + 0.000/−0.030 11⁄4 (32) FHC following equation:
(76 + 0.76/ −0.00) (76 + 0.00/ −0.76) 5⁄8 (16) HH

8
6.000 + 0.030/−0.000
(152 + 0.76/ −0.00)
8.000 + 0.030/−0.000
6.000 + 0.000/−0.030
(152 + 0.00/ −0.76)
8.000 + 0.000/−0.030)
13⁄4 (45) FH
1 (25) HH
2 (50) FH
s5 Π1 n
( ~wi – w!2
n – 1 r51 (7)

(203 + 0.76/ −0.00 (203 + 0.00/ −0.76) 1 (25) HH 6.2 Wire Diameters:
10 10.000 + 0.030/−0.000 10.000 + 0.000/−0.030 3 (76) FH
6.2.1 The nominal wire diameters given in Table 1, Column
(254 + 0.76/ −0.00) (254 + 0.00/ −0.76) 11⁄2 (38) HH
12 12.000 + 0.030/−0.000 12.000 + 0.000/−0.030 31⁄4 (83) FH 13 are typical.
(305 + 0.76/ −0.00) (305 + 0.00/ −0.76) 13⁄8 (50) IH 6.2.2 The wires in a test sieve or sieve cloth shall fall
15⁄8 (41) HH
between the range of choice (d min and d max ) given in Table
A
Frame height meaasured from top of frame to top of sieve cloth. 1, Column 14 and 15, respectively. It is recognized that
B
Measured 0.2 in. (5 mm) below the top of the frame.
C
FH = full height; HH = half height; IH = intermediate height. mechanical deformation of the wire occurs during weaving,
and therefore the diameter measured after weaving may be
different than the nominal wire diameter.
6.2.3 The wires shall be crimped in such a manner that the
cloth exhibits firmness, as agreed between the user and the
supplier, as applied to roll goods.
6.3 Test Sieve Frames:
6.3.1 General Requirements—Frames for test sieves shall
be constructed in such a manner to be rigid. The sieve cloth
shall be mounted on a frame without distortion, looseness, or
waviness. The method used to attach the sieve cloth to the
frame shall be done so the material being sieved will not
become caught in the joint between the sieve cloth and the
frame.
6.3.2 Standard Frames—Sieve frames shall be circular.
Typical frame sizes are 3 in., 6 in., 8 in., 10 in., and 12 in.
diameter (or 76, 152, 203, 254, or 305 mm). Tolerances for
dimensions of test sieve frames are given in Table 2. Other
frame sizes may be used. Frames shall be made of a noncor-
FIG. 1 Aperture Size
rosive material such as brass or stainless steel. The bottom of
the frame shall be constructed so as to provide an easy sliding
or nesting fit with any sieve frame of the same nominal
are determined by dividing sigma by a correction or K-factor. diameter conforming to the specified dimensions.
These K-factors are determined based on approximation to a 6.3.3 The joint or fillet at the point where the sieve cloth and
Chi-square distribution for the sample variance as follows: frame meet will provide a minimum clear sieving surface with
K 5 1 1 Xs / =2~n – 1! (4) a diameter equal to the nominal diameter, less 0.5 in. (13 mm).
6.3.4 Nonstandard Frames—Other sieve frames may be
6.1.5.2 The applicable resulting K-factors (see Appendix
square, rectangular, circular, or non-metal. The frame may
X3) are then applied and the maximum standard deviation
have the sieve cloth permanently attached, or it may be
tolerances are determined as follows:
designed so the sieve cloth is replaceable. The provisions of
sx 5 sigma / K (5) section 6.3.1 apply.
6.1.5.3 The resulting tolerances are given in Table 1 for
Inspection Sieves (Column 10) and for Calibration Sieves 7. Test Sieve and Sieve Cloth Documentation and
(Column 12). Certification
6.1.6 The actual standard deviation of the openings in the 7.1 Documentation of the measurement of the openings in
warp and weft directions, when taken separately, shall not the sieve cloth must assure that the test sieve is traceable and
exceed the values shown in Table 1 for each type. If the number certifiable. All test sieve certificates must be traceable by the
of sample openings is less than 15, the maximum standard test sieve serial number. Inspection and Calibration sieves must
deviation is not evaluated. also include the date, name and signature of the person
certifying to the test sieve quality.
6.1.6.1 The population standard deviation s is obtained by
7.2 Test sieves may be supplied as Compliance, Inspection
measuring all of the full openings N found in the test sieve and
or Calibration Sieves.
is calculated from the following equation:
7.2.1 A Compliance sieve certificate shall state that the test
s5 Π1 N
( ~wi – w!2
N i51 (6)
sieve has been manufactured with sieve cloth that has been
inspected and found to be in compliance with the requirements

4
 E 11 – 09
of Specification E 11. The Certificate does not require any 8.1.1 “Test Sieve,”
statistical documentation. 8.1.2 The “ASTM E 11” designation,
7.2.2 An Inspection sieve certificate shall state at a mini- 8.1.3 Name of the manufacturer or distributor,
mum the value for the average aperture size, separately in both 8.1.4 Test sieve designation from Table 1, Column 1, and
the warp and shute direction of the sieve cloth. A Certificate 8.1.5 Alternate test sieve designation from Table 1, Column
with this inspection data must be supplied. 2 (optional).
7.2.3 A Calibration sieve certificate shall state at a minimum 8.1.6 Each test sieve shall have a unique serial number
the number of aperture and wire diameters measured, the permanently marked onto the sieve frame, skirt or nameplate.
average aperture size, standard deviation and average wire
8.1.7 The test sieve may also be labeled with the Grade
diameter, separately in both the warp and shute directions of
designation.
the sieve cloth. A Certificate with this inspection data must be
supplied.
9. Keywords
8. Marking or Labeling of Test Sieves 9.1 aperture; calibration sieve; compliance sieve; inspection
8.1 Each Test Sieve supplied shall hear a label marked with sieve; opening; particle size; sieve; sieve analysis; sieve cloth;
the following information: sieve designation; test sieve; woven wire test sieve cloth

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall apply only when specified by the purchaser in the
contract or order.

S1. Responsibility for Inspection S2. Government Procurement

S1.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase S2.1 Unless otherwise specified in the contract, the material
order, the producer is responsible for the performance of all shall be in packaged in accordance with the suppliers’ standard
inspection and test requirements specified herein. Except as practice that will be acceptable to the carrier at lowest rates.
otherwise specified in the contract or order, the producer may Containers and packing shall comply with the Uniform Freight
use his own or any other suitable facilities for the performance Classification rules or National Motor Classification rules.
of the inspections and tests requirements specified herein, Marking for shipment of such materials shall be in accordance
unless disapproved by the purchaser. The purchaser shall have
with Fed. Std. No. 123 for civil agencies, and MIL-STD-129
the right to perform any of the inspections and tests set forth in
for military agencies.
this specification where such inspections are deemed necessary
to ensure that materials meet the specification.

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTING SIEVE CLOTH AND TEST SIEVES

A1.1 Every opening in the sieve cloth or test sieve shall

have the same probability of being inspected for compliance
with the requirements shown in Table 1. For sieve cloth and

NOTE—Apertures randomly spaced over the full diameter at irregular

intervals, measurement for warp and shute dimension, only one measure-
ment per aperture.
FIG. A1.2 Example for Crosswise Spot Check
FIG. A1.1 All Full Apertures Measure up to 15 Apertures

5
 E 11 – 09
A1.1.2 Inspect for oversize openings per tolerance X given
in Table 1 (Column 5); carefully and methodically examine the
appearance of all openings in order to detect oversize openings
for subsequent measurements. Openings in fine mesh sieves
are best viewed when magnified optically. In the optical
method, the minimum number of apertures examined shall be
in accordance with Table 1 (Columns 9 or 11) for sieves and
(Column 7) for sieve cloth. The magnifications listed in Table
A1.1 may be used. If any opening is found to be oversize by
more than tolerance X, the sieve cloth or test sieve is unac-
ceptable.
NOTE—Apertures randomly spaced over the full diameter at irregular A1.1.3 Determine the average opening size (w in millime-
intervals, measurements for both warp and shute dimensions shall be ters), and for apertures less than one millimeter, in microme-
made in any one aperture.
ters, the standard deviation and wire diameter. The measured
FIG. A1.3 Example for Diagonal Spot Check
openings shall be spaced over the full diameter of the test
sieve. Figs. A1.1 and A1.2 indicate options to measure the
individual openings in an 8 in. (203 mm) diameter test sieve.
The minimum number of openings to be measured, in both the
warp and shute direction, in an 8 in. diameter test sieve for
Inspection and Calibration grades are shown in Table 1,
Columns 9 or 11 respectively. For test sieve sizes other than the
8 in. diameter, the values shown in this table should be
modified in proportion to the sieving area. Determine the
average opening along the center line of the sieve cloth
separately in two directions, parallel to the warp and shute
wires respectively (See Figs. A1.2 and A1.3). If the sieve cloth
is a twill weave (openings less than or equal to 63 micrometer),
the configuration shall be as shown in Fig. A1.4 and the
measurements shall be made vertically, to the wire.
FIG. A1.4 Configuration of Twilled Weaves
A1.1.4 To determine the average opening in sieve cloth
refer to Table 1 for the minimum number of sample openings
to be measured. Calculate the standard deviation as per section
test sieves having 15 openings or less, measure all full
6.1.6.2. If the wire diameter is measured separately, not at the
openings (see Fig. A1.1). For sieve cloth and test sieves having
same time the opening is measured, measure at least 10 wire
more than (15) openings, carry out the inspection using the
diameters, if available, in each direction.
following three procedures:
A1.1.1 Visually inspect the condition of the sieve cloth
against a uniformly illuminated background. If obvious devia- TABLE A1.1 Magnifying Power in Optical Method
tions from uniformity of appearance are found (weaving
Nominal Aperture Size 5 mm to 500 µm 500 to 250 µm 250 to 20 µm
defects, creases, wrinkles, etc.) the sieve cloth and/or test sieve Magnification 5 to 20 20 to 50 50 to 500
is unacceptable.

6
 E 11 – 09

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DETERMINATION OF THE STANDARD DEVIATION ON AVERAGE APERTURE SIZE

The standard deviation is calculated using equations as illustrated by the following two examples.

X1.1 Example 1 X1.2 Example 2

X1.1.1 Test for Inspection Grade sieve (n = 25, nominal X1.2.1 Test for Calibration Grade sieve (n = 50, nominal
aperture size w = 2 mm): aperture size w = 2 mm):
wi ni ni 3 w i –) – )2 – )2 wi ni ni 3 w i –) – )2 – )2
(wi – w (wi – w n 3 (wi – w (wi – w (wi – w n 3 (wi – w
1.812 0 0.000 –0.132 0.017 0.000 1.812 0 0.000 –0.187 0.035 0.000
1.859 3 5.577 –0.085 0.007 0.021 1.859 2 3.718 –0.140 0.020 0.039
1.906 5 9.530 –0.038 0.001 0.007 1.906 4 7.624 –0.093 0.009 0.035
1.953 11 21.483 0.009 0.000 0.001 1.953 9 17.577 –0.046 0.002 0.019
2.000 6 12.000 0.056 0.003 0.019 2.000 20 40.000 0.001 0.000 0.000
2.047 0 0.000 0.103 0.011 0.000 2.047 10 20.470 0.048 0.002 0.023
2.094 0 0.000 0.150 0.023 0.000 2.094 3 6.282 0.095 0.009 0.027
2.141 0 0.000 0.197 0.039 0.000 2.141 2 4.282 0.142 0.020 0.040
2.188 0 0.000 0.244 0.060 0.000 2.188 0 0.000 0.189 0.036 0.000
n= 25 48.590 0.049 n= 50 99.953 0.183
n n
( ni – w i
r51
( ni – w i
r51
w5 n w5 n
48.590 99.953
w 5 25 5 1.944 mm w 5 50 5 1.999 mm

s5 Π1 n
( ~wi – w!2
n Р1 i51 s5 Π1 n
( ~wi – w!2
n – 1 i51

s5 Π1
24 3 0.049 5 0.045 mm s5 Π1
49 3 0.183 5 0.061 mm
X1.1.2 Standard deviation ss = 0.045 shall be compared X1.2.2 Standard deviation ss = 0.061 shall be compared
with the value of sx = 0.070 given in Table 1, column 10. with the value of sx = 0.072 given in Table 1, column 12.

7
 E 11 – 09

X2. CRITICAL AREA OF NORMAL DISTRIBUTION CURVE

FIG. X2.1 Critical Area of Normal Distribution Curve

X3. K-FACTORS

TABLE X3.1 K Factors

Xs K-factors
Samples
n 2.58 3.00
99% 99.73%
15 1.49 1.57
20 1.42 1.49
25 1.37 1.43
30 1.34 1.39
40 1.29 1.34
50 1.26 1.30
60 1.24 1.28
80 1.21 1.24
100 1.18 1.21
120 1.17 1.19
160 1.14 1.17
200 1.13 1.15
250 1.12 1.13
300 1.11 1.12

Reference: Courtesy of Professor Aridaman K. Jain, New Jersey Institute of

Technology, 2008. The acceptance confidence levels 2.58 and 3.00 are conser-
vative as applied to the inspection of sieves, and the large sample K-factors are
derived by using the normal distribution as an approximation to a Chi-square
distribution for the sample variance.

8
 E 11 – 09
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).