This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E252 − 24

Standard Test Method for

Thickness of Foil and Thin Sheet by Mass Measurement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E252; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2.3 The Aluminum Association:3

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thick- AS&D Aluminum Standards & Data
ness of metallic foil and sheet 0.015 in. (0.38 mm) and less in TEAL-1 International Alloy Designations and Chemical
thickness by measuring the mass of a specimen of known area Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought
and density. Aluminum Alloys (Teal Sheets)
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3. Significance and Use
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathemati- 3.1 This test method is intended for determination of an
cal conversions to SI units, which are provided for information average thickness of a specimen of thin sheet or foil based on
only and are not considered standard. mass, density, and area. It is intended to be used where
1.2.1 The density within this standard is provided in units of pointwise contact thickness measurements by conventional
lb/in.3 (kg/m3) to be consistent with those listed in the means (micrometer, optimeter) do not have sufficient accuracy.
“Aluminum Standards and Data” published by the Aluminum
Association. 4. Apparatus
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.1 Precision Blanking Press—to cut foil or sheet circles
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the that are 8.000 in.2 6 0.008 in.2 (51.61 cm2 6 0.05 cm2) in area
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- or 3.1915 in. 6 0.0015 in. (81.06 mm 6 0.04 mm) in diameter.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- Other size specimens may be used with the recognition that the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. accuracy stated in 7.1 is no longer applicable. See Annex A1
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- for the selection of other specimen sizes and the resulting
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- change in accuracy of the test method.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 Balance—capable of measuring to the nearest 0.1 mg for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the 8.000 in.2 (51.61 cm2) circle.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 5. Procedure
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 Blank specimen with an 8.000 in.2 6 0.008 in.2
(51.61 cm2 6 0.05 cm2) circle representative of the foil or
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the
sheet, or other suitable size (see 4.1).
date of material purchase, unless otherwise noted, form a part
of this specification to the extent referenced herein: 5.2 Use a suitable solvent to remove any coating that would
2 contribute more than a 0.5 % error to the mass measurement.
2.2 ASTM Standards:
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to 5.3 Swab with acetone or other suitable solvent to ensure a
Determine Conformance with Specifications surface free of soil, and determine the mass of the clean, dry
specimen to the nearest 0.1 mg.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light 6. Calculation
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.05 on
Testing. 6.1 Determine the thickness from the relationship:
Current edition approved May 15, 2024. Published June 2024. Originally
M
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as E252 – 06 (2021)ɛ1. T5
DOI: 10.1520/E0252-24. A·D
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from The Aluminum Association, Inc., 1400 Crystal Drive, Suite 430,
the ASTM website. Arlington, VA 22202, http://www.aluminum.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E252 − 24
where: 7. Precision and Bias
T = thickness of the foil, or sheet, in. (or cm), 7.1 Following the procedure outlined in this test method,
M = mass of the specimen (without coating), lb (or g), repeated mass measurements of the same specimen on different
A = area of the specimen, in.2 (or cm2), and balances should result in agreement within 1 mg. It is outside
D = density of the foil, or sheet, lb/in.3 (or g/cm3). of the scope of this test method to describe maintenance and
NOTE 1—Common conversion factors are 102 cm = 1 m; 103 g = 1 kg;
104 cm2 = 1 m2; 1 g ⁄cm3 = 103 kg ⁄m3.
calibration procedures for balances, but disagreement larger
than 1 mg warrants attention to maintenance or recalibration of
6.2 Densities of Aluminum Alloys: the balance.
6.2.1 Calculate the density of aluminum foil or sheet from
chemical composition limits of the alloy by the method 8. Keywords
described in Annex A2. 8.1 density; dimensions; foil; gauge; mass; measure; thick-
NOTE 2—The densities of foil or sheet alloys determined in this manner ness; thin sheet
are accurate to within 6 0.3 %.
6.2.2 Calculated densities for some of the common alumi-
num foil or sheet alloys in Table 1 may be used.

TABLE 1 Densities of Aluminum Foil or Sheet Alloys Applicable

to Determination of Thickness by Mass Measurement Method
Density mils/g for 8.000 in.2
Alloy
lb/in. 3 B 3 A
(kg/m ) AreaC
1100 0.098 2.71 × 103 2.815
1145 0.0975 2.700 × 103 2.826
1188 0.0975 2.700 × 103 2.826
1199 0.0975 2.700 × 103 2.826
1235 0.0975 2.705 × 103 2.820
3003 0.099 2.73 × 103 2.794
5052 0.097 2.68 × 103 2.846
5056 0.095 2.64 × 103 2.890
8079 0.098 2.72 × 103 2.805
8111 0.098 2.71 × 103 2.815
A
These calculated densities are nominal values from the “International Alloy
Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and
Wrought Aluminum Alloys” (known as the “Teal Sheets”), the minimum mass
percent of aluminum to compute nominal density, described in Annex A2, are
determined from the “Teal Sheets.” In the case that there is a discrepancy in values
listed in Table 1 with those listed in the “International Alloy Designations and
Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum
Alloys,” the composition limits registered with the Aluminum Association and
published in the “Teal Sheets” shall be considered the controlling composition. The
“Teal Sheets” are available at http://www.aluminum.org/tealsheets.
B
The US customary (lb/in.3) unit values are derived from SI values (kg/m3) and
subsequently rounded and shall not be back-converted to SI values.
C
The column headed “mils/g for 8.000 in.2 Area” is added for convenience in
determining thickness of the 8.000 in.2 (51.61 cm2) specimens. The mass of the
specimen in grams multiplied by this factor is equal to the thickness of the foil or
sheet in mils. One mil is equal to 0.001 in. (0.0254 mm).

ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)

A1. SPECIMEN SIZE AND SHAPE AND THEIR EFFECT ON ACCURACY

A1.1 General convenient to handle and can be prepared to meet the afore-
A1.1.1 Specimens of sizes and shapes other than the mentioned requirements.
8.000 in.2 (51.61 cm2) circle maybe used provided consider- A1.2 Source of Error
ation is given to controllable factors affecting the accuracy of
the method. Specifically, the area of the specimen shall be A1.2.1 Inherent errors in determining thickness by the mass
known and controlled to an accuracy of 60.1 %, and the measurement method result from the limits on the accuracy of
minimum mass of the specimen shall be 70 mg. Specimens the density value assigned to the alloy, the accuracy with which
ranging in size from 8 in.2 to 36 in.2 (52 cm2 to 230 cm2) are a specimen can be cut and its area determined, and the

2
 E252 − 24
accuracy of the mass measurement. Much time could be maximum error on the method of 6 0.07 ⁄(T·A·D) % of the
devoted to a discussion of refinement of errors but it shall thickness determined. Since D, density of the foil or sheet, is
suffice here to draw on experience as a guide for determining fixed, it is seen that the magnitude of the mass measurement
the accuracy of the method. error is a function of the thickness, T, of the foil or sheet and
the area, A, of the specimen. The area, A, is a controllable
A1.3 Error From Uncertainty of Densities of Specimen factor in the method, and the importance of selecting a large
(ED)
area to minimize the overall percentage error in the method for
A1.3.1 The density of aluminum foil or sheet alloys shall be thin foil or sheet is apparent from a few simple calculations.
those listed in Table 1 or it shall be determined by the method The product T·A·D is the mass of the specimen in grams, so to
described in Annex A2. Values so obtained are accurate to prevent the mass measurement error from introducing errors in
6 0.3 % of the true density. The error imposed by uncertainty excess of 6 1.0 %, it is necessary that the mass of the specimen
of the density then is ED = 6 0.3 % of the thickness deter- be larger than 70 mg. The maximum error in the method due to
mined. mass measurement then is EM = 6 0.07 ⁄ (T·A·D) % of the
thickness determined.
A1.4 Error From Control of Area of Specimen (EA)
A1.4.1 A precision blanking press can cut a specimen whose A1.6 Maximum Error of Method
area is known and reproducible to an accuracy of 60.1 %. If d
A1.6.1 If ED, EA, and EM represent the errors in percentage
is the specific diameter required to provide the area used in the
of thickness determined as imposed by the limits of accuracy of
thickness computation, then the error in area resulting from a
density, area, and mass measurement, respectively, then the
small error, ∆d, in the diameter is 200 ∆d/d %. It follows then
maximum error of the method is (ED + EA + EM) percent of the
that to maintain an area accurate to 60.1 %, the tolerance on
thickness determined. Since these errors at a given test location
the diameter of the blanked circle shall be 60.0005 times the
are normally in the nature of a bias rather than random error,
circle diameter. The fact that the tolerance on diameter de-
the accuracy of the method is best described in terms of this
creases in direct proportion to the diameter is a factor to
maximum error. The maximum error of the method in percent
consider in selecting the specimen size to use in the method.
Compliance with this tolerance limits the area error to is as follows:
EA = 6 0.1 % of the thickness determined.
F
E D 1E A 1E M 5 0.4 1
0.07
~T · A · D! G (A1.1)
A1.5 Error From Measuring Mass of Specimen (EM)
where:
A1.5.1 The accuracy of measuring the mass of a foil or
T·A·D = is the mass of the specimen in grams.
sheet specimen has been found to be 0.7 mg. This imposes a

A2. CALCULATING THE DENSITY OF ALUMINUM ALLOYS

A2.1 Calculation the mean determined for the combined limit in A2.1.2.2 by the
number of elements in the combined limit. Round each element
A2.1.1 The following describes the procedures that shall be
concentration to the number of places indicated in Table A2.1.
used to calculate nominal densities of aluminum and aluminum
alloys. A2.1.2.4 Calculate the concentration of aluminum by sub-
tracting the total element concentrations in A2.1.2.1 – A2.1.2.3
A2.1.2 The form shown in Table A2.1 is convenient for from 100. Round the aluminum concentration to two decimal
making such calculations. A sample calculation is shown for places. For 1XXX series aluminum, calculated aluminum
5052 alloy. content may be less than the specified minimum aluminum
A2.1.2.1 For each alloying element, determine the arithme- content. Nevertheless, the calculated aluminum content should
tic mean of its registered limits. Round the mean to the number be used for purposes of this calculation procedure.
of places indicated in Table A2.2. Rounding, except when A2.1.2.5 Multiply each element concentration determined
specified otherwise, shall be in accordance with the rounding in A2.1.2.1 – A2.1.2.4 by the value 1/Density given in Table
method of Practice E29. A2.2. Round each of these results to three decimal places.
A2.1.2.2 For each impurity element or combination of A2.1.2.6 Add the values determined in A2.1.2.5 together
impurity elements for which a maximum limit is registered, and divide this sum into the number 100. The result is the
determine the arithmetic mean using zero as the minimum unrounded density in SI units (kg/m3).
limit. Round the mean to the number of places indicated in A2.1.2.7 Determine the final expression of density in SI
Table A2.1. units (kg/m3) by rounding the value determined in A2.1.2.6 as
A2.1.2.3 For impurity elements having a combined limit follows:
(such as Si + Fe), consider each of the elements to have an (1) For aluminum and aluminum alloys having a specified
equal concentration. Calculate the concentrations by dividing minimum aluminum content of 99.35 % or greater, round the

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 E252 − 24
TABLE A2.1 Density Calculations of Aluminum and Aluminum TABLE A2.2 Precision for Standard Limits for Alloy Elements and
Alloys at 20 °C Impurities
Example for Alloy 5052 Less than 1/1000% 0.000×
1/DensityA, B, C Mass Percent 1/Density × Mass 1/1000 to 1/100 % 0.00×
Element (m3/kg) Present (%) Percent Present 1/100 to 1/10 %
Si 4.292 × 10-4 0.12 0.52 × 10-4 Unalloyed aluminum made by a refining process 0.0××
Fe 1.271 × 10-4 0.20 0.25 × 10-4 Alloys and unalloyed aluminum not made by a 0.0×
Cu 1.116 × 10-4 0.05 0.06 × 10-4 refining process 0.0×
Mn 1.346 × 10-4 0.05 0.07 × 10-4 1/10 through 1/2 % 0.××
Mg 5.522 × 10-4 D 2.5 13.80 × 10-4 Over 1/2 % 0.×, × .×, and so
Cr 1.391 × 10-4 0.25 0.35 × 10-4 forth.
Ni 1.123 × 10-4
Zn 1.401 × 10-4 0.05 0.07 × 10-4
Ti 2.219 × 10-4
B 4.274 × 10-4
as X.XX0 × 103 or X.XX5 × 103.
Bi 1.020 × 10-4 (2) For aluminum and aluminum alloys having a specified
Ga 1.693 × 10-4 minimum aluminum content less than 99.35 %, round the value
Li 14.410 × 10-4 D
Pb 0.882 × 10-4
obtained to the nearest multiple of 0.01 and expressed as
Sn 1.371 × 10-4 X.XX × 103.
V 1.639 × 10-4
Zr 1.541 × 10-4 NOTE A2.1—Limiting the expression of density to the number of
Be 5.411 × 10-4 decimal places indicated above is based on the fact that composition
Cd 1.156 × 10-4 C variations are discernible from one cast to another for most alloys. The
Co 1.130 × 10-4 C expression of density values to more decimal places than is outlined above
3.22 15.12 × 10-4 implies a higher precision than is justified.
(Subtotal)
AI 3.705 × 10-4 96.78 358.57 × 10-4 A2.1.2.8 Multiply the unrounded value obtained in A2.1.2.6
(Remainder)
-4
by 3.612729 × 10-2 to calculate the unrounded density in
100.00 373.69 × 10
(Total)
lb/in.3.
A2.1.2.9 Determine the final expression of density in units
Calculated Density (lb/in.3) by rounding the value determined in A2.1.2.8 as
100/373.69 × 104 = 2.68 × 103
kg/m3 follows:
= 0.097 lb ⁄in.3 (1) For aluminum and aluminum alloys having a specified
A
Aluminum Properties and physical Metallurgy, ed. John E. Hatch, American minimum aluminum content of 99.35 % or greater, round the
Society for Metals, Metals Park, OH, 1984, pp. 201–203.
B
value obtained to the nearest multiple of 0.0005 and expressed
Kunkle, D. E. and Willey, L. A., “Densities of Wrought Aluminum Alloys,” Journal
of Materials, ASTM, Vol 1, No. 1, March 1966.
as 0.XXX0 or 0.XXX5.
C
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 71st Edition, ed. Lide, D. R., CRC Press, (2) For aluminum and aluminum alloys having a specified
1991. minimum aluminum content less than 99.35 %, round the value
D
The densities used for these elements are different than the handbook densities
because of the metallurgical formations that normally occur in alloys containing
obtained to the nearest multiple of 0.001 and expressed as
these elements. 0.XXX.
A2.2 Accuracy
A2.2.1 The accuracy of the density arrived at by this method
is 60.3 % of the determined value for the common foil or sheet
alloys and 60.5 % for highly alloyed compositions such as
value obtained to the nearest multiple of 0.005 and expressed 2024.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee B07 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(E252 – 06 (2021)ɛ1) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved May 15, 2024.)

(1) Changed title from “Standard Test Method for Thickness of (4) 2.2—Deleted reference to D1505.
Foil, Thin Sheet, and Film by Mass Measurement” to “Stan- (5) 2.3 and Footnote 3—Added references for Aluminum
dard Test Method for Thickness of Foil and Thin Sheet by Association documents and footnote on how to obtain.
Mass Measurement.” (6) Section 3—Added Significant and Use.
(2) 1.1 and 6.1—Deleted references to film and references to (7) 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and A1.1.1—Updated significant digits for the
Annex A3. SI values.
(3) 1.2.1—Added this section with units for density in lb/in.3 (8) 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3—Rearranged sections.
(kg/m3) to be consistent with Aluminum Association. (9) 6.1—Updated units.

4
 E252 − 24
(10) Note 1—Added note with common conversion factors. (12) Section 8—Added Keywords.
(11) Table 1, Footnote A, B and C—Updated units for density (13) Annex A2 and Table A2.1—Updated units for density in
in lb/in.3 (kg/m3) to be consistent with Aluminum Association lb/in.3 (kg/m3) to be consistent with Aluminum Association.
and updated footnotes. (14) Annex A3—Removed Annex A3.

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