ASTM E55-91(1996)

Standard Practice for Sampling Wrought Nonferrous Metals and Alloys for Determination of Chemical Composition

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the sampling, for the determination of chemical composition (Note 1), of nonferrous metals and alloys that have been reduced to their final form by mechanical working; that is, by such means as rolling, drawing, and extruding.
1.1.1 Refer to Practice E255 for copper and copper alloys.
Note 1--The selection of correct portions of material and the preparation of a representative sample from such portions are necessary prerequisites to every analysis, the analysis being of no value unless the sample actually represents the average composition of the material from which it was selected.
1.2 In special cases, when agreed upon by the purchaser and the manufacturer, the heat analysis may be accepted as representative of the composition of the finished product. In such cases, the identity of each heat of metal should be maintained through each stage of the manufacturing process to the final form. This method of sampling is not intended to apply under these conditions.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the 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: 31-Dec-2000
• Technical Committee: E01 - Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Drafting Committee: E01.05 - Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sn, Be, Precious Metals, their Alloys, and Related Metals

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E55-91(2001) - Standard Practice for Sampling Wrought Nonferrous Metals and Alloys for Determination of Chemical Composition
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E581-17A(2022)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Manganese-Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B32-20 - Standard Specification for Solder Metal
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E1473-22 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Nickel, Cobalt, and High-Temperature Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F3042-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Nonferrous Hex Socket, Slotted Headless, and Square Head Set Screws
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B90/B90M-21 - Standard Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Sheet and Plate
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B317/B317M-07(2015)e1 - Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bar, Rod, Tube, Pipe, Structural Profiles, and Profiles for Electrical Purposes (Bus Conductor)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B91-17 - Standard Specification for Magnesium-Alloy Forgings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F468M-06(2018) - Standard Specification for Nonferrous Bolts, Hex Cap Screws, and Studs for General Use (Metric)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B880-14(2019) - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Chemical Check Analysis Limits for Nickel, Nickel Alloys and Cobalt Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B581-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Nickel-Chromium-Iron-Molybdenum-Copper Alloy Rod
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E3346-22 - Standard Guide for Combustion, Inert Gas Fusion and Hot Extraction Instruments for use in Analyzing Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B599-20 - Standard Specification for Nickel-Iron-Chromium-Molybdenum-Niobium Stabilized Alloy Plate, Sheet, and Strip
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM B233-97(2021) - Standard Specification for Aluminum 1350 Drawing Stock for Electrical Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E396-17 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Cadmium
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 55 – 91 (Reapproved 1996)
Standard Practice for
Sampling Wrought Nonferrous Metals and Alloys for
Determination of Chemical Composition
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 55; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope designate the final form of the material submitted for analysis
(drillings, millings, etc.). A representative sample is defined as
1.1 This practice covers the sampling, for the determination
a small part containing the same ingredients in the same
of chemical composition (Note 1), of nonferrous metals and
proportions as they occur in the original lot or lots of material.
alloys that have been reduced to their final form by mechanical
working; that is, by such means as rolling, drawing, and
4. Selection of Portion
extruding.
4.1 A portion representative of the total shipment or order
1.1.1 Refer to Practice E 255 for copper and copper alloys.
shall be selected at random for the final sample. These portions
NOTE 1—The selection of correct portions of material and the prepa-
shall be so taken that minimum wastage of material is incurred,
ration of a representative sample from such portions are necessary
consistent with the required accuracy in sampling.
prerequisites to every analysis, the analysis being of no value unless the
4.2 Quantities of material withdrawn for sampling shall
sample actually represents the average composition of the material from
comply with the requirements of the ASTM standard covering
which it was selected.
that particular material.
1.2 In special cases, when agreed upon by the purchaser and
4.3 When portions are to be withdrawn from finished
the manufacturer, the heat analysis may be accepted as repre-
material, it is recommended that arrangements be made for
sentative of the composition of the finished product. In such
excess length or amount of material to provide the necessary
cases, the identity of each heat of metal should be maintained
samples for inspection purposes.
through each stage of the manufacturing process to the final
4.4 Broken tension test specimens may be used conve-
form. This method of sampling is not intended to apply under
niently in place of specially selected portions when such
these conditions.
practice is agreeable to the purchaser.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard.
5. Preparation of Sample
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 Samples of material too thin to be handled conveniently
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
for machining (drilling, milling, etc.) may be prepared by
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
clipping. Usually clippings would be limited to material
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
thinner than 1.02 mm (0.040 in.). Drillings, sawings, or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
millings shall be taken from material of heavier gage.
5.2 Rods, bars, plates, shapes, tubes, and pipes shall be
2. Referenced Documents
sampled by milling the entire cross-section or by drilling
2.1 ASTM Standards:
entirely through the material at several points along their
E 255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for
length. Sheets and strips may be folded once or more, by
Determination of Chemical Composition
bringing the ends together and closing the bend; the portion
may then be milled on the inside sheared edges or drilled
3. Terminology
entirely through the flat surface. For the lighter gages, several
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
portions may be taken and stacked together before folding.
3.1.1 portion—the term “portion” is used in this practice to
5.3 Equal weights of drillings, millings, sawings, or clip-
designate the selected pieces of material from which the
pings shall be taken from each piece representing the lot of
sample is prepared.
material, and these shall be combined into one sample and
3.1.2 sample—the term “sample” is used in this practice to
thoroughly mixed.
5.4 In some cases a complete section of the selected
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-1 on Analytical
portions may be required for spectrographic examination.
Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Sections may therefore be taken and properly marked before
Subcommittee E01.05 on Zn, Sn, Pb, Cd, Be, and Other Metals.
using the remainder of the portions for sampling operations;
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 1991. Published November 1991. Originally
published as E 55 – 46 T. Last previous edition E 55 – 48 (1986).
such sections may be supplied, together with the milled,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E55
drilled, or sawed sample, at the request of the purchaser. moved as soon as possible after the sampling operation by
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