Skip to main content
Log in

Characteristic grain size: Part I description and definition

  • Published:
Journal of Central South University of Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Characteristic grain size, G c, is defined in the present paper. It indicates an intrinsic size of grain for a given system, and has the following advantages over the average grain size which is based on a statistical mean value of the linear intercept length of grains: (1) The characteristic grain size G c has clear and determined geometric meaning, i. e. G c refers to two times of the area-weighted average height of the surface elements to the centroid of grain or the average length of the chord through the centroid of grain; (2) The value of G c can be directly obtained without introducing any correcting factors such as grain shape or grain size distribution factors. Generally, G c is larger than the average grain size G when the Heyn intercept method is adopted for the grain size measurement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Vander Voort G F. Examination of some grain size measurement problems. Metallography: Past, Present, and Future. American Society for Testing and Materials (75th Anniversary Volume), 1993.266–294

  2. Han J H, Kim D Y. Analysis of the proportionality constant correlating the mean intercept length to the average grain size. Acta Metall Mater, 1995, 43(8):3185–3188

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  3. Dormans L J M G, Morrel R, Will G D. A round robin on the measurement of alumina grain size. Journal of the European ceramic Society, 1993, 12(1):205–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Underwood E E. Quantitative stereology. Massachusetts: Addison-Wesely Publishing Company, 1970. 30–34

    Google Scholar 

  5. Stephen B, Matin H. Grain growth kinetics for alumina in absence of a liquid phase. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 1985, 68(1):22–24

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gupta T K. Possible correlation between density and grain size during sintering. Journal of the American Ceramic society, 1972, 55(5):276–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Project supported by the British Council Academic Link Scheme

Synopsis of the first author Cao Shunhua, lecturer, born in Jan. 1965, strong interest in the following research areas: ceramic composites, FGMs, prototype design of WC-Co alloys, and preparation of β-SiC and sialon powders.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cao, S., Clam, D. Characteristic grain size: Part I description and definition. J Cent. South Univ. Technol. 4, 20–23 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-997-0023-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-997-0023-2

Key words

Navigation