--- type: "WebPage" title: "ISO 12154 Testing" description: "Do you need to measure the true density of your powders according to ISO 12154? Securing the quality of your metal and ceramic powders with ISO 12154 In the Aerospace, Space, and Defense (ASD) sectors, knowing the theoretical and true..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-iso-12154/" tags: ["EN", "pll_698c87a2bd6b5", "Arnaud JOUDRAIN Meta"] timestamp: "2026-04-22T08:34:43Z" published: "2026-02-11T13:44:02Z" language: "en" author: "Filab" --- # ISO 12154 Testing ## Do you need to measure the true density of your powders according to ISO 12154? ### Securing the quality of your metal and ceramic powders with ISO 12154 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, knowing the theoretical and true density of [materials](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/) is a safety imperative. A deviation in true density can signal the presence of[porosity](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/porosity-porosimetry-analysis/) or [impurities](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-detection-identification-impurities.md), directly impacting the performance of your **essential parts.** [ISO 12154](https://www.iso.org/fr/standard/89648.html) specifies a method for determining the true density (or skeletal density) of solid materials by gas pycnometry (helium or nitrogen). Unlike geometric measurements, this technique excludes open pores and interparticle spaces to measure only the volume of the solid material itself. **FILAB**, an expert in [particle size analysis,](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-granulometric-analysis.md) supports manufacturers in the ASD supply chain with the physical characterization of their powders and solids according to ISO 12154. Our goal is clear: to ensure the reliability of your technical and industrial decisions. ### ISO 12154 : a key challenge for material validation ### Determination of true density by helium pycnometry according to ISO 12154 Gas pycnometry relies on Boyle's Law. The gas (usually helium due to its small atomic size) penetrates the finest pores of the sample, allowing for volume measurement with unmatched precision. It is specifically used to: - **Calculate purity** of an alloy or ceramic by comparing measured density to theoretical density. - **Determine the closed porosity** rate of parts derived from Additive Manufacturing or sintering. - **Verify compliance** of Titanium, Aluminum, or Nickel powders. In the Aerospace and Defense industries, mastering this property according to ISO 12154 has a direct impact on: - **Internal structure control** of high-tech materials. - **Lightweighting of structures** (verifying real density vs. mass calculations). - **Long-term reliability** of **strategic components** subjected to high pressures or extreme environments. ## FILAB, a laboratory tailored to aerospace & defense requirements ### An analytical park dedicated to ISO 12154 testing Helium pycnometry according to ISO 12154 requires high-tech instrumentation capable of detecting minute pressure variations. To meet these requirements, **FILAB** provides its clients with high-performance 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 ISO 12154 are part of a comprehensive physical characterization approach. We do not just provide a density value: we interpret the result regarding your material’s history. Our teams work on : True density measurement on metal and ceramic powders R&D support for the development of new light alloys Characterization of sintered parts or parts from MIM (Metal Injection Molding) processes ### 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 ASTM E1941 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-astm-e1941.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 B923 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-b923.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/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-analyses-metallurgiques/laboratoire-examen-micrographique.md) [Failure analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/expertise/labo-analyse-etude-de-defaillance.md) [Chemical composition analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-analyses-metallurgiques/laboratoire-analyse-alliage-metallique.md) [Metallurgical analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-analyses-metallurgiques.md) [Metallographic analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-analyses-metallurgiques/caracterisation-par-coupe-metallographique.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 Why is helium used for this analysis? Helium is an inert gas with extremely small atoms. This allows it to infiltrate the smallest crevices of the sample, ensuring that the measured volume is that of the **solid skeleton only**, without including open pores. What is the difference between true density and apparent density? **Apparent density** (ASTM B212) includes the voids between powder grains. **True density** (ISO 12154) takes into account only the solid matter itself. The ratio between the two helps understand the **packing arrangement** of your powders. Can massive parts be analyzed or only powders? ISO 12154 is perfectly suited for both. We can analyze powders, but also **bulk samples** (machined parts, tensile specimens), provided they fit into the pycnometer chamber. What is the impact of humidity on the measurement? Humidity adsorbed on the particle surface can distort the measured weight and volume. At FILAB, we apply rigorous **drying and purging protocols** before each test to guarantee optimal precision. 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**.