--- type: "WebPage" title: "ASTM B923 Testing" description: "Do you need to measure the skeletal density of your metal powders according to ASTM B923? Securing the quality of your industrial powders with ASTM B923 In the Aerospace, Space, and Defense (ASD) sectors, the physical compliance of materials is..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-b923/" tags: ["EN", "pll_698c8dffcd68d", "Arnaud JOUDRAIN Meta"] timestamp: "2026-04-22T13:01:51Z" published: "2026-02-11T14:11:11Z" language: "en" author: "Filab" --- # ASTM B923 Testing ## Do you need to measure the skeletal density of your metal powders according to ASTM B923? ### Securing the quality of your industrial powders with ASTM B923 In the [Aerospace](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md), [Space](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md), and [Defense](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector.md) (ASD) sectors, the physical compliance of materials is a safety imperative. Skeletal density is a fundamental data point: any deviation from the theoretical value can reveal the presence of porosity or impurities within the material, compromising the performance of your **parts**. [ASTM B923](https://store.astm.org/b0923-22.html) specifies the standard test method for determining the skeletal density of metal powders by gas pycnometry. This non-destructive technique is the reference for obtaining an ultra-precise volume measurement by excluding interparticle voids and open pores. At **FILAB**, we support manufacturers in the ASD supply chain with the [particle size analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-granulometric-analysis.md) and density testing of their powders according to ASTM B923. Our goal is clear: to ensure the reliability of your technical and industrial decisions. ### ASTM B923: a key challenge for skeletal density validation ### Density measurement by helium pycnometry according to ASTM B923 The principle of ASTM B923 relies on the displacement of an inert gas, usually helium, in a precision chamber. Thanks to its very small atomic size, helium infiltrates the smallest crevices of the material to measure its exact true volume. It is specifically used to: - **Calculate internal porosity** of powders intended for Additive Manufacturing. - **Verify the purity** of Titanium, Aluminum, Nickel, or Cobalt alloys. - **Monitor the stability** of metal powders after several recycling cycles. In the Aerospace and Defense industries, mastering this property according to ASTM B923 has a direct impact on: - **Precise weight calculation** of structures. - **Sintering quality.** - **Long-term reliability** of **strategic components** exposed to high-pressure environments. ## FILAB, a laboratory tailored to aerospace & defense requirements ### An analytical park dedicated to ASTM B923 testing Measurement according to ASTM B923 requires high-sensitivity instrumentation and perfect system tightness. To meet these requirements, **FILAB** provides its clients with state-of-the-art equipment : [### ICP-OES](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md) [### Helium pycnometer](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/helium-pycnometry-analysis-laboratory.md) ### PSD [### C, H, O, N, S elemental analyzer](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/chons-laboratory-analysis.md) ### Dedicated material expertise services At **FILAB**, analyses according to ASTM B923 are part of a comprehensive physical and morphological characterization approach. We do not just provide a figure: we analyze the causes of density variation. Our teams work on : Metal powders (Spheroidized, Gas Atomized) R&D support for the optimization of new alloys Sintered or porous materials ### Why choose FILAB? - **45 years** of recognized expertise in analysis and materials science - **Dual competence:** Chemistry / Materials - Specializing in **metallic alloys**and **critical applications** - **Customer qualification**: Safran, Dassault Aviation, and Framatome - **ISO 17025 Accreditation** regarding metallic alloys [Discover our accreditations](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en.md) Discover our metallurgical expertise ## Analysis of Iron, Aluminium, Molybdenum, Copper, Tin, Chromium, Titanium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc [Learn more](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory.md) ### Our analytical services based on ISO and ASTM standards for the ASD sector [Analysis according to ASTM E3061 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e3061.md) [Analysis according to ASTM E1086 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1086.md) [Analysis according to ASTM E1019 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1019.md) [Analysis according to ISO 8287 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-8287-testing.md) [Analysis according to ASTM B213 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-astm-b213.md) [Analysis according to ASTM B964 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-b964.md) [Analysis according to ISO 12154 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-iso-12154.md) [Analysis according to ASTM E1868 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1868.md) [Analysis according to ASTM E1409 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-e1409-analysis.md) [Analysis according to ASTM E415 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e415.md) [Analysis according to ASTM E1251 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1086.md) [Analysis according to ISO 15350 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-15350-testing.md) [Analysis according to ISO 4935 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-4935-analysis.md) [Analysis according to ISO 4490 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-4490-analysis.md) [Analysis according to ASTM B527 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-b527.md) [Analysis according to ASTM E1941 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-astm-e1941.md) [Analysis according to ASTM A269 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-a269.md) ### Our analytical services in accordance with MIL requirements for the ASD sector [Analysis according to MIL-T-9047 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-t-9047-analysis.md) [Analysis according to MIL-A-6088 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-a-6088-analysis.md) [Analysis according to MIL-DTL-14067 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-dtl-14067-analysis.md) [Analysis according to MIL-DTL-5002 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-dtl-5002-analysis.md) [Analysis according to MIL-A-22771 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-a-22771-analysis.md) [Analysis according to MIL-S-22499 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-s-22499-analysis.md) [Analysis according to MIL-P-83348 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-p-83348-analysis.md) ### Our additional metallographic analysis [Micrographic analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-micrographic-examination.md) [Failure analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures.md) [Chemical composition analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-alloy-analysis-laboratory.md) [Metallurgical analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory.md) [Metallographic analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/examination-metallographic-section-laboratory.md) [Elemental analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-elemental-analysis.md) [Analysis of metallic alloys](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md) ### Accreditation This [Nadcap accreditation](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en/materials-testing-nadcap-laboratory.md) notably covers: ✔️ Chemical analysis (ICP-OES) of critical metallic alloys (Al, Fe, Ni, Ti) ✔️ Metallography An international recognition that confirms our commitment to quality and reliability for the most demanding applications, particularly in the aerospace sector. ![](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PNG-bleu-e1775737225243-1024x446.png) [Explore our accreditations](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en.md) ## Our FAQ What is the difference between ASTM B923 and ISO 12154? Both standards describe the same **gas pycnometry** technique. ASTM B923 is more specifically oriented towards **metal powders** according to the North American framework, while ISO 12154 is a more generalist international standard. FILAB applies both protocols according to your needs. Is the analysis destructive for the powder? No, helium pycnometry is a **totally non-destructive method**. The sample can be recovered after analysis and used for other tests, unless there is a specific risk of cross-contamination for your application. Why is helium preferable to other gases? Helium is preferred because it is a **monoatomic gas** with a very small atomic radius, capable of penetrating pores inaccessible to nitrogen or air. This provides the most faithful **"skeletal" volume** measurement. How to get a quote? To get a quote, you can contact our teams via our contact form, by phone, or by email. Simply send us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, specific standard, urgency, sample quantity...). We will then send you a personalized technical and price proposal within **24-48 hours**.