--- type: "WebPage" title: "ISO 4490 Testing" description: "Do you need to measure the flow rate of your metal powders according to ISO 4490? Securing ASD manufacturing processes with ISO 4490 In the Aerospace, Space, and Defense (ASD) sectors, the consistency of metal powders is a safety imperative...." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-4490-analysis/" tags: ["EN", "pll_698c49602272a", "Arnaud JOUDRAIN Meta"] timestamp: "2026-04-22T08:32:37Z" published: "2026-02-11T09:18:24Z" language: "en" author: "Filab" --- # ISO 4490 Testing ## Do you need to measure the flow rate of your metal powders according to ISO 4490? ### Securing ASD manufacturing processes with ISO 4490 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 consistency of [metal powders](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization/metallic-powders-characterization-services-at-filab-laboratory.md) is a safety imperative. Non-compliant flowability can alter the precision of material deposition and the compactness (density) of your **essential parts**. [ISO 4490](https://www.iso.org/fr/standard/69218.html) specifies a method for determining the flow rate of metal powders using a calibrated flowmeter (Hall Flowmeter Funnel). This measurement is fundamental to validating the quality of powders intended for [Additive Manufacturing](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-powders-characterization-services-at-filab-laboratory/metallurgical-expertise-on-metal-parts-from-additive-manufacturing.md) or Sintering. At **FILAB**, we support manufacturers in the ASD supply chain with the characterization of their powders according to ISO 4490. Our goal is clear: to ensure the reliability of your technical and industrial decisions. ### ISO 4490: a key challenge for powder rheology ### Determination of flow time according to ISO 4490 The ISO 4490 standard relies on measuring the time required for a 50-gram mass of powder to flow through a standardized orifice. This parameter, called "flow rate", quantifies the material's flowability. It is specifically used to: - **Qualify the rheology** of Titanium, Steel, Nickel, or Aluminum powders. - **Detect quality drifts** between different supplier batches. - **Evaluate recycling aptitude** of powders after several manufacturing cycles (re-use). In the Aerospace and Defense industries, mastering flowability according to ISO 4490 has a direct impact on: - **Final density** of produced parts. - **Microstructure homogeneity** of the material. - **In-service performance** of **strategic components** subjected to dynamic stresses. ## FILAB, a laboratory tailored to Aerospace & Defense requirements ### An analytical park dedicated to ISO 4490 testing Flow measurement according to ISO 4490 requires absolute execution rigor to guarantee reproducible results. To meet these demands, **FILAB** provides its clients with state-of-the-art tools : [### Hall or Carney Funnel calibrated with certified reference powder (Chinese emery grit)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/flowability-test-hall-or-carney-cone-in-laboratory.md) ### PSD (d10/d50/d90) [### Tap Density](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization/tap-density-measurement-laboratory.md) ### Dedicated material expertise services At **FILAB**, ISO 4490 analysis is part of a comprehensive powder characterization approach. We do not just measure a flow rate: we help you optimize your value chain. Our teams work on : Validation of virgin and recycled powders Advice on storage conditions to preserve [flowability](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization/laboratory-flowability-testing.md) Correlation between flowability and grain morphology [(SEM)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md) ### 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 ASTM E1941 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-astm-e1941.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) ### Our other powder flowability measurement services [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 14629 standard [Analysis according to ASTM B213 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-astm-b213.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) ## FAQ What is the difference between ISO 4490 and ASTM B213? These two standards are technically very similar and use the same equipment (the Hall Flowmeter Funnel). **ISO 4490** is the international reference preferred by **European manufacturers**, while ASTM B213 is more common in North American projects. Filab masters both protocols. What if the powder does not flow at all? If the powder does not flow spontaneously, it is considered **"non-free-flowing"** according to this method. In this case, Filab can propose other techniques, such as using the **Carney Funnel** or more advanced rheology analyses. Does particle size influence the ISO 4490 result? Yes, particle size and shape are dominant factors. A **finer powder** often tends to flow less easily than a coarser powder due to increased **cohesive forces**. 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**.