Overview
EN ISO 14629:2016 (adoption of ISO 14629:2012) specifies a standardized funnel test for determining the flowability of ceramic powders used in fine/advanced ceramics. The method measures the mass of powder discharged through a specified funnel orifice in a measured time, yielding a flow rate (g/s) value. It applies only to powders that flow freely through the test orifice and is intended for granulated or ungranulated ceramic powders used in advanced technical ceramics.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope & applicability: Test only for powders that can flow through the specified orifice; intended for fine ceramics and advanced technical ceramics.
- Apparatus:
- Stainless-steel funnel with orifice diameter 2.5 mm (primary) and 5.0 mm (alternative if powder won’t pass 2.5 mm).
- Container to collect discharged powder; stand and vibration-free base; 0.71 mm sieve (ISO 565); balance (0.1 g or 0.01 g resolution); stopwatch (0.1 s); level meter; antistatic glove.
- Sampling & pre-treatment:
- Minimum sample mass 200 g; test portions of 50.0 g each.
- Powders generally tested “as-received”; drying allowed if specified - 110 ± 5 °C for ≥1 h, cooled in a desiccator. Volatile-containing powders must not be dried.
- Test procedure:
- Sieve sample, weigh 50.0 g, place in funnel, block orifice, remove block and start timing; stop when last powder leaves orifice.
- Perform three test portions and average results.
- Use 5.0 mm funnel only if 2.5 mm blocks.
- Calculation & reporting:
- Flowability F = mass discharged / elapsed time (g/s), rounded to 0.01 g/s (ISO 80000-1).
- Test report must follow ISO/IEC 17025 reporting provisions and include environmental conditions, sample ID, pre-treatments, results and any anomalies (e.g., blockage).
Applications and Users
This standard is practical for:
- Quality control and production labs in ceramic manufacturers (advanced/technical ceramics).
- Materials engineers and R&D groups assessing powder handling, feedstock consistency, and processability (pressing, extrusion, additive manufacturing).
- Suppliers and purchasers of ceramic powders for verifying flowability performance and acceptance criteria.
- Accredited testing laboratories required to report results per ISO/IEC 17025.
Keywords: EN ISO 14629:2016, flowability test, ceramic powders, fine ceramics, funnel method, flow rate, ISO 14629:2012.
Related Standards
- ISO 565 (test sieves)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (laboratory competence & reporting)
- ISO 4490, ASTM B213, JIS R 1639 (related flow-rate methods for powders)
- ENV 14312 (superseded)
