ISO 12103-1:2024

International
Standard
ISO 12103-1
Third edition
Road vehicles — Test contaminants
2024-01
for filter evaluation —
Part 1:
Arizona test dust
Véhicules routiers — Poussière pour l'essai des filtres —
Partie 1: Poussière d'essai d'Arizona
Reference number
© ISO 2024
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Test dust description . 1
5 Test dust designation . 2
6 Particle size distribution . 2
7 Chemical composition . 2
7.1 Typical chemical content of ISO specified Arizona test dusts .2
7.2 Chemical analysis methodology — X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) .3
Annex A (normative) Analysis equipment and operating procedure . 4
Annex B (informative) History of Arizona test dust . 8
Annex C (informative) Handling and preparation . 10
Bibliography .15

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
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rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
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related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 34,
Propulsion, powertrain and powertrain fluids.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 12103-1:2016), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— A0 (0 to 5) μm test dust was added.
A list of all parts in the ISO 12103 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
This document specifies five grades of test dusts made from Arizona desert sand composed of naturally
occurring compounds which motor vehicles are commonly subjected to. These test dusts are used to
determine performance of filtration systems. Due to the abrasive characteristics of these materials, they
have also been used in wear studies involving bearings, internal combustion engines and fuel injection
systems, seals, fan blades, windshield wipers, etc.
This document specifies particle size distribution of five grades of test dust by volume percent as opposed to
number characterization.
Dusts complying with volume distribution specified in this document are not appropriate for calibration of
particle counters. For this purpose, refer to ISO 11171.
This is an Arizona test dust standard, not other region document. Other dusts and documents can be brought
forward to the committee to be developed into a standard.

v
International Standard ISO 12103-1:2024(en)
Road vehicles — Test contaminants for filter evaluation —
Part 1:
Arizona test dust
1 Scope
This document defines particle size distribution and chemical content limits involving five grades of test
dust made from Arizona desert sand.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Test dust description
ISO test dusts according to this document are manufactured from Arizona desert sand. Arizona desert sand
is a naturally occurring contaminant consisting primarily of silicon dioxide with smaller amounts of other
compounds. It is collected from the Salt River area of Arizona desert and sized to specific particle size. Refer
to Annex B for the history of Arizona test dust and to Annex C for the proper handling of the material.
Arizona desert sand has also been referred to as Arizona road dust, Arizona test dust, Arizona silica, AC fine
or coarse test dust, and SAE fine or coarse test dust.
Bulk density of ISO test dusts made from Arizona sand varies with particle size (see Table 1).
Table 1 — Bulk density
Approximate bulk
Category density, kg/m
ISO (0 to 5) μm 500
ISO ultrafine 500
ISO fine 900
ISO medium 1 025
ISO coarse 1 200
5 Test dust designation
Arizona test dusts are available in five standard grades designated as follows:
— ISO 12103-1, A0 (0 to 5) μm test dust;
— ISO 12103-1, A1 ultrafine test dust;
— ISO 12103-1, A2 fine test dust;
— ISO 12103-1, A3 medium test dust;
— ISO 12103-1, A4 coarse test dust.
6 Particle size distribution
Particle size distribution is determined using a light scattering particle size analyser, as referenced in
ISO 13320.
Table 2 specifies cumulative volume particle size limits for ISO test dusts made from Arizona desert sand,
1)
when determined using a Microtrac Model S3500™ particle size analyser per Annex A.
When the different type analyser is employed by a test laboratory, the laboratory should generate suitable
correlation data between the analyser by which these powders are supplied to conform [Microtrac analyser]
and by the analyser adopted by the test laboratory.
Table 2 — Particle size distributions (volume % less than)
Size, micrometre A0 (0 to 5) μm A1 ultrafine A2 fine A3 medium A4 coarse
352,00 — — — — 100,0
248,90 — — — 100,0 99,0 to 100,0
176,00 — — 100,0 99,0 to 100,0 97,2 to 98,2
124,50 — — 99,0 to 100,0 97,2 to 98,6 93,0 to 94,0
88,00 — — 97,9 to 98,9 94,7 to 96,0 85,0 to 86,5
44,00 — — 89,5 to 91,5 82,0 to 83,5 58,0 to 60,0
22,00 100,0 100,0 73,5 to76,0 62,5 to 64,5 36,0 to 38,5
11,00 98,9 to 99,3 95,5 to 97,5 57,0 to 59,5 42,3 to 43,6 21,0 to 23,0
5,50 90,3 – 92,7 65,0 – 69,0 39,5 – 42,5 22,1 – 23,2 11,5 – 12,5
2,75 57,9 – 61,8 23,0 – 27,0 21,3 – 23,3 10,3 – 11,1 5,5 – 6,3
1,38 20,5 – 23,0 7,0 – 10,0 8,0 – 9,5 3,8 – 4,4 1,8 – 2,1
0,97 11,0 – 12,6 3,0 – 5,0 4,5 – 5,5 2,0 – 2,4 0,74 – 0,83
NOTE  Data shown per Table 2 was determined using the particle size analysis instrument indicated in Annex A. Use of any other
particle size analysis equipment will obtain different results.
7 Chemical composition
7.1 Typical chemical content of ISO specified Arizona test dusts
See Table 3.
1) Microtrac and Microtrac Model S3500 are trademarks. This information is given for the convenience of users of this
document and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of the product named.

Table 3 — Chemical content
Element Percentage of mass
Silicon 69,0 to 77,0
Aluminium 8,0 to 14,0
Iron 4,0 to 7,0
Potassium 2,0 to 5,0
Calcium 2,5 to 5,5
Sodium 1,0 to 4,0
Magnesium 1,0 to 2,0
Titanium 0,0 to 1,0
7.2 Chemical analysis methodology — X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF)
Chemical analysis is performed using an X-ray fluorescence analyser per ASTM C114-15.

Annex A
(normative)
Analysis equipment and operating procedure
A.1 Particle size analyser
A.1.1 General
Particle size data of ISO specified Arizona test dusts as shown in Table 2, were determined using a Microtrac
TM
Model S3500 light scattering type analyser. Use of any other particle size analysis equipment will obtain
different results. Other particle size analysis instruments may be acceptable for analysis of test dust
products specified in this document, if suitability and correlation is determined between the Microtrac
TM
Model S3500 and the other analyser. Use of particle size analysis instruments other than the Microtrac
TM
Model S3500 will require a modified particle size analysis procedure.
TM
The Microtrac Model S3500 employs use of three light scattering lasers that are combined to produce the
resulting particle size distribution data. A tri-laser system uses precise angular measurement of scattered
light through a full 180° angular range with three lasers and two detector arrays. Analysis of scattered light
to determine particle size employs a Mie based unified angular scattering theory with a dynamic range of
0,02 μm to 2 800 μm (see Table A.1).
Normally, it is not acceptable to publish a manufacturer’s name or equipment identification. However, due
to the close tolerance of the specified particle size limits and variation between instruments by multiple
manufacturers, one particle size analysis instrument was defined for this specification.
Particle size distribution specified limits shown in Table 2 were derived from sample analysis of PTI
TM
manufactured test dust produced prior to May 1994 using three separate Microtrac Model S3500 light
scattering analysers.
TM
Table A.1 — Microtrac Model S3500 specifications
Item Specification
Measuring range 0,02 μm to 2 800 μm
Basic range Wet 0,7 μm to 1 000 μm
High range Wet 2,75 μm to 2 800 μm
Standard range Wet 0,24 μm to 1 400 μm
Special range Wet 0,086 μm to 1 400 μm
Extended range Wet 0,021 μm to 2 000 μm
Enhanced range Wet 0,021 μm to 2 800 μm
Precision Spherical glass beads D50 = 642 μm, Precision as CV = 0,7
Spherical glass beads D50 = 56 μm, Precision as CV = 1,0 %
Spherical latex beads D50 = 0,4 μm, Precision as CV = 0,6 %
Lasers Wavelength 780 nm
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