GB/T 5163-2006 is a Chinese national standard focused on determining density, oil content, and open porosity for permeable sintered metal materials (excluding hardmetals). It is commonly referenced in powder metallurgy quality control where controlled porosity and oil impregnation are functional requirements.
If you need help confirming whether this standard fits a porous bearing, bushing, filter, or structural PM part—and what measurements you’ll need to report—talk with our team about your application and the edition you are citing.
GB/T 5163-2006 — Sintered metal materials (excluding hardmetals) — Permeable sintered metal materials — Determination of density, oil content, and open porosity
GB/T 5163-2006 is used when a part’s performance depends on a controlled network of open pores (permeability) and, in many cases, the ability to retain impregnating oil. The measurements supported by this standard are typically used for acceptance, process control, and lot-to-lot comparison of porous sintered metal components.
This document is a measurement / test-method standard (a “determination” standard) rather than a material specification. It supports consistent property determination and reporting for permeable sintered metal parts.
Quick Definition
What it is: A standard test method for determining density, oil content, and open porosity of permeable sintered metal materials (excluding hardmetals).
What it’s used for: Verifying porous PM parts that rely on open porosity and (often) oil impregnation to meet functional requirements.
Typical outcomes: Reported density values plus oil content and open-porosity values used to compare materials, suppliers, or production lots.
What This Standard Covers
GB/T 5163-2006 covers the determination of three related properties for permeable sintered metal materials:
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Density (for porous sintered metal test pieces)
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Oil content (as applicable to oil-impregnated porous parts)
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Open porosity (the connected porosity that can be filled by a liquid)
Because it is limited to permeable sintered metals and explicitly excludes hardmetals, it is most relevant to powder-metallurgy parts designed with open pores, not fully dense sintered components.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
For many porous PM parts, open porosity is not a defect—it is the feature that enables lubrication retention, controlled flow, or tuned mechanical response. GB/T 5163-2006 provides a consistent way to quantify these properties so that manufacturing changes (powder type, compaction pressure, sintering cycle, sizing, impregnation) can be evaluated with comparable numbers.
From a QA/QC perspective, these results are often used to support incoming inspection, in-process control, and supplier qualification for porous sintered metal components.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
GB/T 5163-2006 is commonly associated with permeable sintered metal parts produced by compacting and sintering metal powders, where an interconnected pore structure is intentional.
Common product examples: Porous bushings and bearings (often oil-impregnated), porous sleeves, permeable sintered structural parts, and other PM components where open pores and retained oil are functional.
Common materials: Typical PM base metals and alloys used for porous components (material selection and acceptance limits are usually controlled by a separate drawing or material specification, while GB/T 5163 supports property measurement).
Common Test or Verification Workflow
Most workflows connected to GB/T 5163-2006 are built around careful mass measurements, liquid interaction with open pores, and volume determination so density and porosity-related values can be calculated consistently.
Common workflow elements: Conditioning the test piece to a defined state (for example, dry and/or impregnated), measuring mass with appropriate precision, determining volume using a suitable method for porous parts, and calculating/reporting density, oil content, and open porosity in the required form.
Practical caution: Results can be sensitive to whether the part is truly in the required condition (for example, whether pores are fully filled or fully cleared), as well as to handling steps that can trap air, retain liquid on surfaces, or change mass between weighings. If you are setting up a lab procedure, align your internal work instruction to the exact cited edition and reporting requirements.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
GB/T 5163-2006 typically drives equipment decisions around accurate weighing, controlled liquid interaction with porous structures, and repeatable volume measurement. The standard itself should be consulted for required tolerances and conditioning details.
Common equipment: Analytical balance (with appropriate readability for small mass differences), hydrostatic weighing or density determination accessories (as applicable), fixtures for immersing/suspending samples, temperature-aware liquid bath setup, drying equipment, and (when oil impregnation/clearing is part of the procedure) impregnation and/or oil-removal apparatus appropriate to porous parts.
If you are comparing balance resolution, immersion accessories, or impregnation setups for porous metal parts, you can request a detailed quote for a configuration matched to your sample size and throughput.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
GB/T indicates a recommended (non-mandatory) Chinese national standard.
5163 is the standard number identifying this specific method for permeable sintered metal materials.
-2006 is the publication year shown in the designation for the cited edition. Test setup details and reporting expectations may depend on the exact edition referenced in a purchase specification, drawing, or customer requirement.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
GB/T 5163-2006 is often used alongside internal product specifications and drawings that define target porosity or impregnation requirements for a specific part number. In many organizations, it is also paired with broader powder-metallurgy inspection plans that include dimensional checks and material/chemistry requirements handled by other referenced methods.
When a customer specification references multiple porosity- or density-related methods, edition alignment matters—use the exact cited standard designations from the controlling document set.
Get Help Selecting a Practical Test Setup
If you need a repeatable approach for density/porosity-style measurements on porous sintered metal parts—especially when results must correlate between production and a customer lab—contact our team to discuss your specimen geometry, target pore structure, and reporting requirements.
