CEN/TC 260
Date: 2025-11
prEN 17760:2026
Secretariat: DIN
Inorganic fertilizers — Determination of particle size of ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content
Einführendes Element — Haupt-Element — Ergänzendes Element
Élément introductif — Élément central — Élément complémentaire
ICS:
Contents Page
6 Sampling and sample preparation 5
This document (prEN 17760:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 260 “Fertilizers and liming materials”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede CEN/TS 17760:2022.
prEN 17760:2026 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to CEN/TS 17760:2022:
— The CEN Technical Specification has been adopted as a European Standard.
— The scope (Clause 1) has been changed in order to clarify that only a limited number of sieves has to be used.
— Clause 7 has been updated regarding sampling and sample preparation.
— Normative references (Clause 2) updated.
— Bibliography updated.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its Member States.
1.0 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of the mass fractions of ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content that passes certain mesh sieves (0,5 mm and 1,0 mm).
This document is not applicable to fertilizing products blends, other than ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content.
2.0 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1482‑2, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Sampling and sample preparation — Part 2: General sample preparation provisions
EN 12944‑1,[1] Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
EN 12944‑2,[2] Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Vocabulary — Part 2: Terms relating to fertilizers
3.0 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 12944‑1 and EN 12944‑2 apply.
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/
4.0 Principle
The test portion is sieved on a nest of three sieves, either by hand or by mechanical means. The mass retained on each sieve is recorded and the percentage of test portion passing the required sieves is calculated.
5.0 Apparatus and equipment
Usual laboratory equipment and, in particular, the following:
5.1 200-mm-diameter woven-wire test sieves, with apertures of 2,0 mm, 1,0 mm and 0,5 mm respectively of standard ranges. One lid and one receiver for these sieves.
5.2 Balance, capable of weighing to the nearest 0,1 g.
5.3 Mechanical sieve shaker, (if available) capable of imparting both vertical and horizontal motion to the test portion.
If containers are used, they shall be inert, clean and dry.
6.0 Sampling and sample preparation
6.1 Sampling
Sampling is not part of the method specified in this document. A recommended sampling method is given in EN 1482‑1 [1].
It is important that the laboratory receives a sample that is representative of both the product under consideration and the given analysis. The sample should not have been damaged or changed during transport or storage.
6.1.1 Sample preparation
Sample preparation shall be carried out in accordance with EN 1482‑2.
7.0 Procedure
7.1 Divide the sample representatively into test portions of approximately 100 g.
7.2 Weigh one of these test portions to the nearest 0,1 g (5.2).
7.3 Arrange the nest of sieves (5.1) in ascending order; receiver, 0,5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm and place the weighed test portion on the top sieve. Fit the lid to the top of the nest of sieves.
7.4 Shake by hand or machine (5.3), imparting both a vertical and horizontal motion and if by hand, tapping occasionally. Continue this process for 10 minutes or until the quantity passing through each sieve in one minute is less than 0,1 g.
7.5 Remove the sieves from the nest in turn and collect the material retained, brush gently from the reverse side with a soft brush, if necessary.
7.6 Weigh the material retained on each sieve and that collected in the receiver, to the nearest 0,1 g (5.2).
If containers are used, they shall be inert, clean and dry.
8.0 Evaluation of the results
8.1 Convert the fractions retained on each sieve to a percentage of the total of the fraction masses (not of the initial mass taken):
— Calculate the percentage in the receiver (i.e. < 0,5 mm): A, in %
— Calculate the percentage retained on the 0,5 mm sieve: B, in %
— Calculate the percentage passing 1,0 mm, i.e. (A + B), in %
— The sum of the fractions shall be within 2 % of the initial mass taken.
8.2 At least two separate analyses shall be carried out and the individual results for A shall not differ by more than 1,0 % absolute and for B by more than 1,5 % absolute. Repeat the test if this is not the case.
9.0 Expression of the results
Report the mean of the two values obtained for A on the one hand and for A + B on the other.
10.0 Precision
As it is impossible to prepare representative samples for an inter-laboratory study on the precision of the method, no such study is preformed, and no precision data are available.
11.0 Test report
The test report shall contain at least the following information:
a) all information necessary for the complete identification of the sample;
b) test method used with reference to this document including its year of publication;
c) test results obtained expressed as described in Clause 9;
d) date of sampling and sampling procedure (if known);
e) date when the analysis was finished;
f) all operating details not specified in this document, or regarded as optional, together with details of any incidents that occurred when performing the method which might have influenced the test result(s).
[1] EN 1482‑1, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Sampling and sample preparation — Part 1: General sampling provisions
