ASTM E415-15

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method for the spectrometric analysis of metals and alloys is primarily intended to test such materials for compliance with compositional specifications. It is assumed that all who use this test method will be analysts capable of performing common laboratory procedures skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be performed in a properly equipped laboratory.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the simultaneous determination of 21 alloying and residual elements in carbon and low-alloy steels by spark atomic emission vacuum spectrometry in the mass fraction ranges shown Note 1.
Element  
Composition Range, %  
Applicable Range,
Mass Fraction %A  
Quantitative Range,
Mass Fraction %B  
Aluminum  
0 to 0.093  
0.006 to 0.093  
Antimony  
0 to 0.027  
0.006 to 0.027  
Arsenic  
0 to 0.1  
0.003 to 0.1  
Boron  
0 to 0.007  
0.0004 to 0.007  
Calcium  
0 to 0.003  
0.002 to 0.003  
Carbon  
0 to 1.1  
0.02 to 1.1  
Chromium  
0 to 8.2  
0.007 to 8.14  
Cobalt  
0 to 0.20  
0.006 to 0.20  
Copper  
0 to 0.5  
0.006 to 0.5  
Manganese  
0 to 2.0  
0.03 to 2.0  
Molybdenum  
0 to 1.3  
0.007 to 1.3  
Nickel  
0 to 5.0  
0.006 to 5.0  
Niobium  
0 to 0.12  
0.003 to 0.12  
Nitrogen  
0 to 0.015  
0.01 to 0.055  
Phosphorous  
0 to 0.085  
0.006 to 0.085  
Silicon  
0 to 1.54  
0.02 to 1.54  
Sulfur  
0 to 0.055  
0.001 to 0.055  
Tin  
0 to 0.061  
0.005 to 0.061    
Titanium  
0 to 0.2  
0.001 to 0.2    
Vanadium  
0 to 0.3  
0.003 to 0.3    
Zirconium  
0 to 0.05  
0.01 to 0.05(A) Applicable range in accordance with Guide E1763 for results reported in accordance with Practice E1950.(B) Quantitative range in accordance with Practice E1601.
Note 1: The mass fraction ranges of the elements listed have been established through cooperative testing2 of reference materials.  
1.2 This test method covers analysis of specimens having a diameter adequate to overlap and seal the bore of the spark stand opening. The specimen thickness can vary significantly according to the design of the spectrometer stand, but a thickness between 10 mm and 38 mm has been found to be most practical.  
1.3 This test method covers the routine control analysis in iron and steelmaking operations and the analysis of processed material. It is designed for chill-cast, rolled, and forged specimens. Better performance is expected when reference materials and specimens are of similar metallurgical condition and composition. However, it is not required for all applications of this standard.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Nov-2015
• ICS: 77.080.20 - Steels
• Technical Committee: E01 - Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Drafting Committee: E01.01 - Iron, Steel, and Ferroalloys

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E415 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel by Spark Atomic
1
Emission Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E415; 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 according to the design of the spectrometer stand, but a
thickness between 10 mm and 38 mm has been found to be
1.1 This test method covers the simultaneous determination
most practical.
of 21 alloying and residual elements in carbon and low-alloy
1.3 This test method covers the routine control analysis in
steels by spark atomic emission vacuum spectrometry in the
mass fraction ranges shown Note 1. iron and steelmaking operations and the analysis of processed
material. It is designed for chill-cast, rolled, and forged
Composition Range, %
Applicable specimens. Better performance is expected when reference
Element
Range, Quantitative Range,
materials and specimens are of similar metallurgical condition
B
Mass Fraction Mass Fraction %
A and composition. However, it is not required for all applica-
%
Aluminum 0 to 0.093 0.006 to 0.093 tions of this standard.
Antimony 0 to 0.027 0.006 to 0.027
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Arsenic 0 to 0.1 0.003 to 0.1
Boron 0 to 0.007 0.0004 to 0.007 safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Calcium 0 to 0.003 0.002 to 0.003
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Carbon 0 to 1.1 0.02 to 1.1
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Chromium 0 to 8.2 0.007 to 8.14
Cobalt 0 to 0.20 0.006 to 0.20
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Copper 0 to 0.5 0.006 to 0.5
Manganese 0 to 2.0 0.03 to 2.0
2. Referenced Documents
Molybdenum 0 to 1.3 0.007 to 1.3
3
Nickel 0 to 5.0 0.006 to 5.0
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Niobium 0 to 0.12 0.003 to 0.12
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Nitrogen 0 to 0.015 0.01 to 0.055
Phosphorous 0 to 0.085 0.006 to 0.085 Determine Conformance with Specifications
Silicon 0 to 1.54 0.02 to 1.54
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
Sulfur 0 to 0.055 0.001 to 0.055
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
Tin 0 to 0.061 0.005 to 0.061
Titanium 0 to 0.2 0.001 to 0.2
E305 Practice for Establishing and Controlling Atomic
Vanadium 0 to 0.3 0.003 to 0.3
Emission Spectrochemical Analytical Curves
Zirconium 0 to 0.05 0.01 to 0.05
E350 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel,
A
Applicable range in accordance with Guide E1763 for results reported in
Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and
accordance with Practice E1950.
B
Wrought Iron
Quantitative range in accordance with Practice E1601.
E406 Practice for Using Controlled Atmospheres in Spec-
NOTE 1—The mass fraction ranges of the elements listed have been
2
trochemical Analysis
established through cooperative testing of reference materials.
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur,
1.2 This test method covers analysis of specimens having a
Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt
diameter adequate to overlap and seal the bore of the spark
Alloys by Various Combustion and Fusion Techniques
stand opening. The specimen thickness can vary significantly
E1329 Practice for Verification and Use of Control Charts in
Spectrochemical Analysis
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on
Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct
E1763 Guide for Interpretation and Use of Results from
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.01 on Iron, Steel, and Ferroalloys.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2015. Published March 2016. Originally
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E415 – 14. DOI:
3
10.1520/E0415-15. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
2
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:E01-1122. ContactASTM Customer Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Service at [e-mail]. 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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E415 − 15
Interlaboratory Testing of Chemical Analysis Methods (verifier data or other reference sample intensity data can
4
(Withdrawn 2
...

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: E415 − 14 E415 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel by Spark Atomic
1
Emission Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E415; 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 test method covers the simultaneous determination of 2021 alloying and residual elements in carbon and low-alloy
steels by spark atomic emission vacuum spectrometry in the mass fraction ranges shown (Note 1).
Composition Range, %
Element Applicable Range, Quantitative Range,
A B
Mass Fraction % Mass Fraction %
Aluminum 0 to 0.075 0.02 to 0.075
Arsenic 0 to 0.1 0.05 to 0.1
Boron 0 to 0.007 0.002 to 0.007
Calcium 0 to 0.003 0.001 to 0.003
Carbon 0 to 1.1 0.08 to 1.1
Chromium 0 to 2.25 0.02 to 2.25
Cobalt 0 to 0.18 0.008 to 0.18
Copper 0 to 0.5 0.04 to 0.5
Manganese 0 to 2.0 0.10 to 2.0
Molybdenum 0 to 0.6 0.03 to 0.6
Nickel 0 to 5.0 0.02 to 5.0
Niobium 0 to 0.085 0.02 to 0.085
Nitrogen 0 to 0.015 0.004 to 0.015
Phosphorous 0 to 0.085 0.02 to 0.085
Silicon 0 to 1.15 0.07 to 1.15
Sulfur 0 to 0.055 0.01 to 0.055
Tin 0 to 0.045 0.01 to 0.045
Titanium 0 to 0.2 0.004 to 0.2
Vanadium 0 to 0.3 0.004 to 0.3
Zirconium 0 to 0.05 0.02 to 0.05
Composition Range, %
Applicable
Element Range, Quantitative Range,
B
Mass Fraction Mass Fraction %
A
%
Aluminum 0 to 0.093 0.006 to 0.093
Antimony 0 to 0.027 0.006 to 0.027
Arsenic 0 to 0.1 0.003 to 0.1
Boron 0 to 0.007 0.0004 to 0.007
Calcium 0 to 0.003 0.002 to 0.003
Carbon 0 to 1.1 0.02 to 1.1
Chromium 0 to 8.2 0.007 to 8.14
Cobalt 0 to 0.20 0.006 to 0.20
Copper 0 to 0.5 0.006 to 0.5
Manganese 0 to 2.0 0.03 to 2.0
Molybdenum 0 to 1.3 0.007 to 1.3
Nickel 0 to 5.0 0.006 to 5.0
Niobium 0 to 0.12 0.003 to 0.12
Nitrogen 0 to 0.015 0.01 to 0.055
Phosphorous 0 to 0.085 0.006 to 0.085
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.01 on Iron, Steel, and Ferroalloys.
Current edition approved March 1, 2014Nov. 15, 2015. Published April 2014March 2016. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
E415 – 08.E415 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/E0415-08.10.1520/E0415-15.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E415 − 15
Silicon 0 to 1.54 0.02 to 1.54
Sulfur 0 to 0.055 0.001 to 0.055
Tin 0 to 0.061 0.005 to 0.061
Titanium 0 to 0.2 0.001 to 0.2
Vanadium 0 to 0.3 0.003 to 0.3
Zirconium 0 to 0.05 0.01 to 0.05
A
Applicable range in accordance with Guide E1763 for results reported in accordance with Practice E1950.
B
Quantitative range in accordance with Practice E1601.
2
NOTE 1—The mass fraction ranges of the elements listed have been established through cooperative testing of reference materials. Included, in addition
to the original data of Test Method E415 – 71, are data from cooperative testing of a broader range of reference materials to expand the element mass
fraction ranges.
1.2 This test method covers analysis of specimens having a diameter adequate to overlap and seal the bore of the spark stand
opening. The specimen thickness can vary significantly according to the design of the spectrometer stand, but a thickness between
10 mm and 38 mm has been found to be most practical.
1.3 This test method covers the routine control analysis in iron and steelmaking operations and the analysis of processed
material. It is designed for chill-cast, rolled, and forged specimens. Better performance is expected when reference materials and
specimens are of similar metallurgical condition and composition. However, it is not required for all applications of this standard.
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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E
...