Particle size measurement of reference particle candidates and uncertainty region of count and mass based cumulative distribution

•The uncertainty region of count and mass base cumulative size distribution is estimated by measurement data.•The uncertainty region of count base cumulative size distribution is nearly constant over wide range of particle diameter.•The uncertainty region decreases with the increase of sample size.•Necessary sample size to obtain reliable size distribution was determined.

In order to confirm reliable particle size measurement technique and to prepare standard reference particles for calibrating particle size measurement devices, uncertainty region of count and mass based size distribution have been theoretically examined. The uncertainty region of count base cumulative size distribution is smaller than that of the mass base cumulative distribution.The uncertainty region of count base cumulative size distribution is nearly constant over wide range of particle diameter and the region is nearly constant for sample size greater than about 20,000.On the other hand, the uncertainty region of mass base cumulative distribution increases with the increase of particle diameter.The reliability of theoretical uncertainty region is confirmed by the experimental data of particle size measurement.

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