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This program is accredited in accordance with the recognized International Standard ISO/IEC 17043: 2010 Conformity Assessment - General Requirements for Proficiency Testing, by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. Certificate Number: 4209.01
ASTM's Proficiency Testing Programs provide participating laboratories with a statistical quality assurance (SQA) tool for improving and maintaining performance with respect to interlaboratory precision.
Basic elements to be determined by participants include carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, copper, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, aluminum, and tin. Additional elements are included in the program from time to time.
Rocky Mountain Reference Materials provide test samples for the program. The samples provided are homogeneity tested to ensure that like samples are distributed to all participants. When oxygen and nitrogen are tested a separate thin disc is provided.
The program provides participants with 4 disks (2 different dimensions) for each test cycle, electronic data report forms to record test data, and instructions for conducting the tests. Laboratories are instructed to conduct the tests in their facilities using the ASTM methods cited in the program (or other methods used by the lab) and to record their test results on the data report form.
Each laboratory returns completed test data electronically to ASTM for use in generating statistical summary reports. ASTM handles all data on a strictly confidential basis with no disclosure of lab identity except for one's own laboratory. Final reports contain all laboratory test data (coded), statistical analysis of test data, charts plotting test results versus lab code and other information.
The program includes lab participation worldwide.
For more information, contact us.
The program provides you with:
Statistical summary reports provided to you include:
Should you have an issue with your published results, please write to ptp@astm.org with your lab number and account number.
Four disks will be used in the program for each test cycle
E350 | Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel, Low-Allow Steel, Silicon Electical Steel, Ingot Iron, and Wrought Iron1 |
E415 | Standard Test Method for Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry |
E1019 | Standard Test Method for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys by Various combustion and Fusion Techniques |
E1085 | Standard Test Method for Analysis of Low-Alloy Steels by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry |
Test samples are prepared and distributed for ASTM International by Rocky Mountain Reference Materials in Golden, CO. Program registration fees do not include the cost of shipping the test samples to international participants (see below).
IMPORTANT for International participants: You have the following options for receipt of samples:
Participation is on an annual fee basis and open to all laboratories. Registration fees must be paid in advance to participate. Testing must be performend within the participant's laboratory facilities. A laboratory does not need to perform all the program tests to participate.
Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials, consisting of over 190 members and developer of over 140 standards, provides the technical direction for the program. Test information generated in the program is utilized by Committee E01 to determine if modifications to ASTM documents or new standards are warranted.