ASTM E415-21

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  
LeadC  
0 to 0.2  
0.002 to 0.2    
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
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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: 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)

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: E415 − 21
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 stand opening. The specimen thickness can vary significantly
according to the design of the spectrometer stand, but a
1.1 This test method covers the simultaneous determination
thickness between 10 mm and 38 mm has been found to be
of 21 alloying and residual elements in carbon and low-alloy
most practical.
steels by spark atomic emission vacuum spectrometry in the
mass fraction ranges shown Note 1. 1.3 This test method covers the routine control analysis in
iron and steelmaking operations and the analysis of processed
Composition Range, %
Applicable material. It is designed for chill-cast, rolled, and forged
Element Range, Quantitative Range,
specimens. Better performance is expected when reference
B
Mass Fraction Mass Fraction %
A materials and specimens are of similar metallurgical condition
%
Aluminum 0 to 0.093 0.006 to 0.093 and composition. However, it is not required for all applica-
Antimony 0 to 0.027 0.006 to 0.027
tions of this standard.
Arsenic 0 to 0.1 0.003 to 0.1
Boron 0 to 0.007 0.0004 to 0.007 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Calcium 0 to 0.003 0.002 to 0.003
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Carbon 0 to 1.1 0.02 to 1.1
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Chromium 0 to 8.2 0.007 to 8.14
Cobalt 0 to 0.20 0.006 to 0.20
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Copper 0 to 0.5 0.006 to 0.5
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
C
Lead 0 to 0.2 0.002 to 0.2
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Manganese 0 to 2.0 0.03 to 2.0
Molybdenum 0 to 1.3 0.007 to 1.3
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Nickel 0 to 5.0 0.006 to 5.0
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Niobium 0 to 0.12 0.003 to 0.12
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Nitrogen 0 to 0.015 0.01 to 0.055
Phosphorous 0 to 0.085 0.006 to 0.085
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Silicon 0 to 1.54 0.02 to 1.54
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Sulfur 0 to 0.055 0.001 to 0.055
Tin 0 to 0.061 0.005 to 0.061
2. Referenced Documents
Titanium 0 to 0.2 0.001 to 0.2
Vanadium 0 to 0.3 0.003 to 0.3
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Zirconium 0 to 0.05 0.01 to 0.05
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
A
Applicable range in accordance with Guide E1763 for results reported in
Determine Conformance with Specifications
accordance with Practice E1950.
B
Quantitative range in accordance with Practice E1601.
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
C
Newly added element, refer to 15.4 and Table 3.
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
NOTE 1—The mass fraction ranges of the elements listed have been
E305 Practice for Establishing and Controlling Spark
2
established through cooperative testing of reference materials.
Atomic Emission Spectrochemical Analytical Curves
1.2 This test method covers analysis of specimens having a
E350 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel,
diameter adequate to overlap and seal the bore of the spark Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and
Wrought Iron
E406 Practice for Using Controlled Atmospheres in Atomic
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on
Emission Spectrometry
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.01 on Iron, Steel, and Ferroalloys.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E415 – 17. DOI:
3
10.1520/E0415-21. 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 C
...

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 − 17 E415 − 21
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 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.
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
C
Lead 0 to 0.2 0.002 to 0.2
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.
C
Newly added element, refer to 15.4 and Table 3.
2
NOTE 1—The mass fraction ranges of the elements listed have been established through cooperative testing 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
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 May 15, 2017Oct. 1, 2021. Published June 2017November 2021. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as
E415 – 15.E415 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/E0415-15.10.1520/E0415-21.
2
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:E01-1122. Contact ASTM Customer
Service at [e-mail].
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E415 − 21
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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
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
E305 Practice for Establishing and Controlling Spark Atomic Emission Spectrochemical Analytical Curves
E350 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel, Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and Wrought
Iron
E406 Practice for Using Controlled Atmospheres in Atomic Emission Spectrometry
E691
...