BS 3406-4:1993

Committees responsible
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 References
3 Definitions
4 Abbreviations and symbols
5 Health and safety
6 Sample preparation
   6.1 General
   6.2 Dispersion of laboratory sample
   6.3 Mounting of test portion
7 Limits of size resolution of various microscope systems
   7.1 General
   7.2 Light microscope
   7.3 Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
   7.4 Transmission electron microscope (TEM)
8 Calibration
   8.1 General
   8.2 Calibration of the light microscope
   8.3 Calibration of electron microscope
   8.4 Calibration of the image analyser
   8.5 Reference graticule
9 Manual methods of measurement
   9.1 Light microscopy
   9.2 Scanning and transmission electron microscopy
10 Measurement by image analyser
   10.1 General
   10.2 Method
   10.3 Dynamic range
11 Distribution determination, accuracy and precision
   11.1 Choice of size classes
   11.2 Calculation of size distribution
   11.3 Calculation of the standard error (SE)
   11.4 Confidence intervals
   11.5 Amount of sampling necessary for specific
        accuracy
   11.6 Reporting of results
Annex A (informative) Equipment
Annex B (normative) Setting the light microscope for Koehler
                      illumination
Annex C (informative) Eyepiece graticules for light microscopy
Annex D (normative) Semi-automatic image analysis
Annex E (normative) Example of calculation of size
                      distribution by number
Annex F (informative) Statistical errors of size
                      determination by the microscope method
Figures
Tables

Recommends methods for measuring particles in the range 2 nm to 1 mm using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes. Calculation examples are included.

This Part of BS 3406 recommends methods for using microscopes to measure the size of particles in the range from 2 nm to 1 mm. Making measurements with light microscopes, scanning electron microscopes and transmission electron microscopes is described both with and without the use of automatic and semi-automatic image analysers. A system is established for calculating the number of fields of view that have to be analysed to achieve a specified accuracy, and methods are given for the estimation of uncertainties. Guidance is provided on sample preparation, practical microscopy and the choice of equipment for image analysis.

This Part of BS 3406 does not cover the measurement of particle shape or the use of stereorological methods.

This standard does not cover the measurement of asbestos fibres. Asbestos fibres are covered by the European Reference Method (ERM) as given in MDHS 39¹⁾.

Specialized techniques applicable to the study of cell biology or haematology are outside the scope of this Part of BS 3406.

¹⁾ Available from the Health and Safety Exective.