The chemical composition of stainless steels must be determined accurately in order to ensure the desired metallurgical properties. This procedure is suitable for manufacturing control and inspection testing.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers for the atomic emission vacuum spectrometric analysis of stainless steel in solid form by the point-to-plane excitation technique for the following elements in the concentration ranges shown:

1.2 This test method is designed for the routine analysis of chill-cast disks or inspection testing of stainless steel samples that have a flat surface of at least 13 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter. The samples must be sufficiently massive to prevent overheating during the discharge and of a similar metallurgical condition and composition as the reference materials.

1.3 Analytical curves are plotted using the concentration ratio method as shown in Practice E 158. One or more of the reference materials must closely approximate the composition of the specimen. The technique of analyzing reference materials along with unknowns and performing the indicated mathematical corrections may also be used to correct for interference effects and to compensate for errors resulting from instrument drift. A variety of such systems are commonly used. Any of these that will achieve analytical accuracy equivalent to that reported for this test method are acceptable.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials

E158 Practice for Fundamental Calculations to Convert Intensities into Concentrations in Optical Emission Spectrochemical Analysis

E172 Practice for Describing and Specifying the Excitation Source in Emission Spectrochemical Analysis

E305 Practice for Establishing and Controlling Atomic Emission Spectrochemical Analytical Curves

E406 Practice for Using Controlled Atmospheres in Spectrochemical Analysis

E876 Practice for Use of Statistics in the Evaluation of Spectrometric Data

E1060 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of Spectrochemical Methods of Analysis

E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method

E1806 Practice for Sampling Steel and Iron for Determination of Chemical Composition

Keywords

atomic emission; point-to-plane technique; spectrometric analysis; stainless steel; Carbon content--metals/alloys; Chemical analysis--metals/alloys; Chromium content--metals/alloys; Copper content--metals/alloys; Manganese content--metals/alloys; Molybdenum content--metals/alloys; Nickel content--metals/alloys; Phosphorus content--metals/alloys; Silicon content--metals/alloys; Spectrochemical analysis--steel; Sulfur--metals/alloys; Optical emission vacuum spectrometric analysis; Point-to-point technique; Stainless steel;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 77.040.30 (Chemical analysis of metals); 77.140.20 (Steels of high quality)

Citing ASTM Standards

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