Comparing three environmental particle size distributions. Power law (FED-STD-209D), lognormal, approximate lognormal (MIL-STD-1246B)

Abstract

Particle size strongly influences particle behavior. To summarize the distribution of particle sizes, a distribution function can be used. The characteristics of the particle size distributions chosen are important for two specification documents currently under revision: (1) FED-STD-209D, concerning air cleanliness in manufacturing, which uses cumulative particle size distributions that are linear when plotted on log-log axes; these are power law distributions. (2) MIL-STD-1246B, 'Product Cleanliness Levels and Contamination Control Programs,' primarily concerning surface cleanliness, which uses cumulative particle size distributions that are linear when plotted as the logarithm of the cumulative distribution versus the square of the logarithm of the particle size, log2 x. A third distribution, the lognormal, is commonly found in aerosol science, especially where there is a single particle source. The distributions are compared and discussed. The FED-STD-209D power law distribution can approximate a lognormal distribution over only a limited size range. The MIL-STD-1246B distribution is an asymptotic approximation to the lognormal distribution.