ASTM E1251-11
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry
Standard Test Method for Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The metallurgical properties of aluminum and its alloys are highly dependent on chemical composition. Precise and accurate analyses are essential to obtaining desired properties, meeting customer specifications and helping to reduce scrap due to off-grade material.
This test method is applicable to chill cast specimens as defined in Practice E716 and can also be applied to other types of samples provided that suitable reference materials are available. Also, other sample forms can be melted-down and cast into a disk, using an appropriate mold, as described in Practice E716. However, it should be noted that some elements (for example, magnesium) readily form oxides, while some others (for example, sodium, lithium, calcium, and strontium) are volatile, and may be lost to varying degrees during the melting process.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the analysis of aluminum and its alloys by atomic emission spectrometry. The aluminum specimen to be analyzed may be in the form of a chill cast disk, casting, foil, sheet, plate, extrusion or some other wrought form or shape. The elements covered in the scope of this method are listed in the table below.
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Designation: E1251 − 11
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Spark
1
Atomic Emission Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1251; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
Analysis of Hg in aluminum by spark atomic emission spectrometry
1. Scope
(Spark-AES) is not recommended. Accurate analysis of Hg using this
1.1 Thistestmethoddescribestheanalysisofaluminumand
technique is compromised by the presence of an intense iron interference.
its alloys by atomic emission spectrometry. The aluminum InaccuratereportingofHgduetotheseinterferenceeffectscanjeopardize
thecurrentdesignationofaluminumproductionasamercuryfreeprocess.
specimentobeanalyzedmaybeintheformofachillcastdisk,
To demonstrate compliance with legislated Hg content limits, use of an
casting,foil,sheet,plate,extrusionorsomeotherwroughtform
alternate method capable of analysis with a minimum reporting limit of
orshape.Theelementscoveredinthescopeofthismethodare
0.0001% or lower is recommended. Suitable techniques include but are
listed in the table below.
not limited to glow discharge mass spectrometry, XRF, and cold vapor
AA.
Tested Concentration Range
Element
(Wt %)
1.2 This test method is suitable primarily for the analysis of
Antimony 0.001 to 0.003
chill cast disks as defined in Practices E716. Other forms may
Arsenic 0.001 to 0.006
Beryllium 0.0004 to 0.24
be analyzed, provided that: (1) they are sufficiently massive to
Bismuth 0.03 to 0.6
prevent undue heating, (2) they allow machining to provide a
Boron 0.0006 to 0.009
clean, flat surface, which creates a seal between the specimen
Calcium 0.0002 to –
Chromium 0.001 to 0.23
and the spark stand, and (3) reference materials of a similar
Cobalt 0.4 to –
metallurgical condition and chemical composition are avail-
Copper 0.001 to 5.5
able.
Gallium 0.02 to –
Iron 0.2 to 0.5
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Lead 0.04 to 0.6
Lithium 0.0003 to 2.1 safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Magnesium 0.03 to 5.4
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Manganese 0.001 to 1.2
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Nickel 0.005 to 2.6
Phosphorus 0.003 to – bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific safety and
Silicon 0.07 to 16
health statements are given in Section 10.
Sodium 0.003 to 0.02
Strontium 0.03 to –
Tin 0.03to– 2. Referenced Documents
Titanium 0.001 to 0.12
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Vanadium 0.002 to 0.022
Zinc 0.002 to 5.7
E135Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
Zirconium 0.001 to 0.12
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
NOTE 1—The concentration ranges given in the above scope were
E158Practice for Fundamental Calculations to Convert
established through cooperative testing (ILS) of selected reference mate-
Intensities into Concentrations in Optical Emission Spec-
rials. The range shown for each element does not demonstrate the actual
3
trochemical Analysis (Withdrawn 2004)
usable analytical range for that element. The usable analytical range may
E172Practice for Describing and Specifying the Excitation
be extended higher or lower based on individual instrument capability,
spectral characteristics of the specific element wavelength being used and SourceinEmissionSpectrochemicalAnalysis(Withdrawn
3
the availability of appropriate reference materials.
2001)
NOTE 2— Mercury (Hg) is intentionally not included in the scope.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.04 on Aluminum and Magnesium. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 15, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1251–07. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/E1251-11. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E1251 − 11
E305Practice for Establishing and Controlling Atomic detector. The detector signals are electrically integrated and
Emission Spectrochemical Anal
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1251–07 Designation:E1251–11
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Spark
1
Atomic Emission Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1251; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes the analysis of aluminum and its alloys by atomic emission spectrometry. The aluminum
specimen to be analyzed may be in the form of a chill cast disk, casting, foil, sheet, plate, extrusion or some other wrought form
or shape. The elements covered in the scope of this method are listed in the table below.
Tested Concentration Range
Element
(Wt %)
Antimony 0.001 to 0.003
Arsenic 0.001 to 0.006
Beryllium 0.0004 to 0.24
Bismuth 0.03 to 0.6
Boron 0.0006 to 0.009
Calcium 0.0002 to –
Chromium 0.001 to 0.23
Cobalt 0.4to–
Copper 0.001 to 5.5
Gallium 0.02 to –
Iron 0.2to0.5
Lead 0.04 to 0.6
Lithium 0.0003 to 2.1
Magnesium 0.03 to 5.4
Manganese 0.001 to 1.2
Nickel 0.005 to 2.6
Phosphorus 0.003 to –
Silicon 0.07 to 16
Sodium 0.003 to 0.02
Strontium 0.03 to –
Tin 0.03 to –
Titanium 0.001 to 0.12
Vanadium 0.002 to 0.022
Zinc 0.002 to 5.7
Zirconium 0.001 to 0.12
NOTE 1—The concentration ranges given in the above scope were established through cooperative testing (ILS) of selected reference materials. The
range shown for each element does not demonstrate the actual usable analytical range for that element. The usable analytical range may be extended
higher or lower based on individual instrument capability, spectral characteristics of the specific element wavelength being used and the availability of
appropriate reference materials.
NOTE 2— Mercury (Hg) is intentionally not included in the scope. Analysis of Hg in aluminum by spark atomic emission spectrometry (Spark-AES)
is not recommended. Accurate analysis of Hg using this technique is compromised by the presence of an intense iron interference. Inaccurate reporting
of Hg due to these interference effects can jeopardize the current designation of aluminum production as a mercury free process. To demonstrate
compliance with legislated Hg content limits, use of an alternate method capable of analysis with a minimum reporting limit of 0.0001% or lower is
recommended. Suitable techniques include but are not limited to glow discharge mass spectrometry, XRF, and cold vapor AA.
1.2 This test method is suitable primarily for the analysis of chill cast disks as defined in Practices E716. Other forms may be
analyzed, provided that: (1) they are sufficiently massive to prevent undue heating, (2) they allow machining to provide a clean,
flat surface, which creates a seal between the specimen and the spark stand, and (3) reference materials of a similar metallurgical
condition and chemical composition are available.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
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 E01.04 on Aluminum and Magnesium.
Current edition approved June 1, 2007.March 15, 2011. Published June 2007.2011. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 20042007 as
E1251 – 047. DOI: 10.1520/E1251-07.10.1520/E1251-11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1251–11
limitations prior to use. Specific safety and health statements are given in Section 10.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 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
...
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