ASTM E1184-21

Standard Practice for Determination of Elements by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is intended for users who are attempting to establish GF-AAS procedures. It should be helpful for establishing a complete atomic absorption analysis program.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the determination of microgram per milliliter (μg/mL) or lower concentrations of elements in solution using a graphite furnace attached to an atomic absorption spectrometer. A general description of the equipment is provided. Recommendations are made for preparing the instrument for measurements, establishing optimum temperature conditions and other criteria which should result in determining a useful calibration concentration range, and measuring and calculating the test solution analyte concentration.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific safety hazard statements are given in Section 9.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2021
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• Technical Committee: E01 - Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Drafting Committee: E01.20 - Fundamental Practices

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1184 − 21
Standard Practice for
Determination of Elements by Graphite Furnace Atomic
1
Absorption Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1184; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E131 Terminology Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the determination
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
of microgram per milliliter (µg/mL) or lower concentrations of
E406 Practice for Using Controlled Atmospheres in Atomic
elements in solution using a graphite furnace attached to an
Emission Spectrometry
atomic absorption spectrometer. A general description of the
equipment is provided. Recommendations are made for pre-
3. Terminology
paring the instrument for measurements, establishing optimum
temperatureconditionsandothercriteriawhichshouldresultin
3.1 Refer to Terminologies E131 and E135 for the defini-
determining a useful calibration concentration range, and
tions of terms used in this practice.
measuring and calculating the test solution analyte concentra-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tion.
3.2.1 atomization, v—the formation of ground state atoms
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
that absorb radiation from a line emission source. The atomi-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
zation process in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrom-
only.
etry (GF-AAS) analysis is covered in 6.2.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 pyrolysis, n—the process of heating a specimen to a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
temperature high enough to remove or alter its original matrix,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
but not so high as to volatilize the element to be measured.The
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
purpose of the pyrolysis step in GF-AAS analysis is to remove
Specific safety hazard statements are given in Section 9.
or alter the original specimen matrix, thereby reducing or
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
eliminating possible interferences to the formation of ground
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
state atoms that are formed when the temperature is increased
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
during the atomization step. Many publications and references
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
will refer to pyrolysis as charring or ashing.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.3 pyrolytic graphite coating, n—a layer of pyrolytic
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
graphite that coats a graphite tube used in GF-AAS analysis.
2. Referenced Documents
Pyrolytic graphite is formed by pyrolizing a hydrocarbon, for
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
example, methane, at 2000 °C.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3.2.4 ramping, v—a slow, controlled increase of the tem-
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
perature in the graphite tube. Ramping will provide for an
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
efficient but not too rapid removal or decomposition of the
Related Materials
specimen matrix. Most graphite furnaces allow for ramping
1 duringthedrying,pyrolysis,andatomizationsteps.Itisusually
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical
Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
employed during the drying and pyrolysis steps. However,
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
some instrument manufacturers may recommend ramping
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally
during the atomization step depending on the specimen matrix
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E1184 – 10(2016).
DOI: 10.1520/E1184-21.
and the element being measured (for example, the analysis of
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
cadmiumorleadinhairorblood).Thepowersuppliesformost
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
instruments also allow the rate of the temperature increase to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the AST
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1184 − 10 (Reapproved 2016) E1184 − 21
Standard Practice for
Determination of Elements by Graphite Furnace Atomic
1
Absorption Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1184; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the determination of microgram per millilitremilliliter (μg/mL) or lower concentrations
of elements in solution using a graphite furnace attached to an atomic absorption spectrometer. A general description of the
equipment is provided. Recommendations are made for preparing the instrument for measurements, establishing optimum
temperature conditions and other criteria which should result in determining a useful calibration concentration range, and
measuring and calculating the test solution analyte concentration.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific safety hazard statements are given in Section 9.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E131 Terminology Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E406 Practice for Using Controlled Atmospheres in Atomic Emission Spectrometry
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Terminology
3.1 Refer to Terminologies E131 and E135 for the definitiondefinitions of terms used in this practice.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
Current edition approved April 1, 2016Oct. 1, 2021. Published May 2016October 2021. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
E1184 – 10.E1184 – 10(2016). DOI: 10.1520/E1184-10R16.10.1520/E1184-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1184 − 21
3.2.1 atomization—atomization, v—the formation of ground state atoms that absorb radiation from a line emission source. The
atomization process in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) analysis is covered in 6.2.
3.2.2 pyrolysis—pyrolysis, n—the process of heating a specimen to a temperature high enough to remove or alter its original
matrix, but not so high as to volatilize the element to be measured. The purpose of the pyrolysis step in GF-AAS analysis is to
remove or alter the original specimen matrix, thereby reducing or eliminating possible interferences to the formation of ground
state atoms that are formed when the temperature is increased during the atomization step. Many publications and references will
refer to pyrolysis as charring or ashing.
3.2.3 pyrolytic graphite coating—coating, n—a layer of pyrolytic graphite that coats a graphite tube used in GF-AAS analysis.
Pyrolytic graphite is formed by pyrolizing a hydrocarbon, for example, methane, at 2000 °C.
3.2.4 ramping—ramping, v—a slow, controlled increase of the temperature in the graphite tube. Ramping will provide for an
efficient but not too rap
...