ASTM A751-01(2006)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods, practices, and terminology cover definitions, reference methods, practices, and guides relating to the chemical analysis of steel, stainless steel, and related alloys. It includes both wet chemical and instrumental techniques.
1.2 Directions are provided for handling chemical requirements, product analyses, residual elements, and reference standards, and for the treatment and reporting of chemical analysis data.
1.3 These test methods, practices, and terminology apply only to those product standards which include these test methods, practices, and terminology, or parts thereof, as a requirement.
1.4 In cases of conflict, the product specification requirements shall take precedence over the requirements of these test methods, practices, and terminology.
1.5 Attention is directed to Practice A 880 when there may be a need for information on criteria for evaluation of testing laboratories.
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.
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Designation:A751–01 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 751; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
These test methods, practices, and terminology were prepared to answer the need for a single
document that would include all aspects of obtaining and reporting the chemical analysis of steel,
stainless steel, and related alloys. Such subjects as definitions of terms and product (check) analysis
variations(tolerances)requiredclarification.Requirementsforsampling,meetingspecifiedlimits,and
treatment of data usually were not clearly established in product specifications.
It is intended that these test methods, practices, and terminology will contain all requirements for
the determination of chemical composition of steel, stainless steel, or related alloys so that product
specifications will need contain only special modifications and exceptions.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 These test methods, practices, and terminology cover 2.1 ASTM Standards:
definitions,referencemethods,practices,andguidesrelatingto A 880 Practice for Criteria for Use in Evaluation of Testing
the chemical analysis of steel, stainless steel, and related Laboratories and Organizations for Examination and In-
alloys. It includes both wet chemical and instrumental tech- spection of Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys
niques. E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
1.2 Directions are provided for handling chemical require- Determine Conformance with Specifications
ments, product analyses, residual elements, and reference E30 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Steel, Cast
standards, and for the treatment and reporting of chemical Iron, Open-Hearth Iron, and Wrought Iron
analysis data. E50 Practices forApparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
1.3 These test methods, practices, and terminology apply erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
only to those product standards which include these test Related Materials
methods, practices, and terminology, or parts thereof, as a E59 PracticeforSamplingSteelandIronforDetermination
requirement. of Chemical Composition
1.4 In cases of conflict, the product specification require- E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
ments shall take precedence over the requirements of these test Materials by Molecular Absorption Spectrometry
methods, practices, and terminology. E 212 Test Method for Spectrographic Analysis of Carbon
1.5 Attention is directed to Practice A 880 when there may and Low-Alloy Steel by the Rod-To-Rod Technique
be a need for information on criteria for evaluation of testing E 293 Test Method for Spectrographic Determination of
laboratories. Acid-Soluble Aluminum in Low-Alloy Steel by the Solu-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the tion Technique
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the E 322 Test Method for X-Ray Emission Spectrometric
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Analysis of Low-Alloy Steels and Cast Irons
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- E 327 Test Method for Optical Emission Spectrometric
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Analysis of Stainless Type 18-8 Steels by the Point-To-
Plane Technique
These test methods, practices, and terminology are under the jurisdiction of
ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys, and are the For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
direct responsibility of SubcommitteeA01.13 on Mechanical and Chemical Testing contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and Processing Methods of Steel Products and Processes. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published May 2006. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as A 751 – 01. Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
A751–01 (2006)
E 350 Test Methods for ChemicalAnalysis of Carbon Steel, E 1329 Practice for Verification and Use of Control Charts
Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and in Spectrochemical Analysis
Wrought Iron
3. Terminology
E 352 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Tool Steels
and Other Similar Medium- and High-Alloy Steels
3.1 Definitions:
E 353 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless,
3.1.1 Pertaining to Analyses:
Heat-Resisting, Maraging, and Other Similar Chromium-
3.1.1.1 cast or heat (formerly ladle) analysis—applies to
Nickel-Iron Alloys
chemical analyses representative of a heat of steel as reported
E 354 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of High-
to the purchaser and determined by analyzing a test sample,
Temperature, Electrical, Magnetic, and Other Similar Iron,
preferably obtained during the pouring of the steel, for the
Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys
elements designated in a specification.
E 403 Method for Optical Emission Spetrometric Analysis
3.1.1.2 product, check or verification analysis—a chemical
of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel by the Point-To-Plane
analysis of the semifinished or finished product, usually for the
Technique
purpose of determining conformance to the specification re-
E 404 Test Method for Spectrographic Determination of
quirements. The range of the specified composition applicable
Boron In Carbon and LowAlloy Steel by the Point-To- to product analysis is normally greater than that applicable to
Plane Technique
heatanalysisinordertotakeintoaccountdeviationsassociated
with analytical reproducibility (Note 1) and the heterogeneity
E 415 Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectro-
metric Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel of the steel.
E 421 Test Method for Spectrographic Determination of
NOTE 1—All of the chemical analysis procedures referenced in this
Silicon and Aluminum in High-Purity Iron
document include precision statements with reproducibility data with the
exception of Test MethodsE30.
E 485 Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectro-
metricAnalysisofBlastFurnaceIronbythePoint-to-Plane
3.1.1.3 product analysis tolerances (Note 2)—a permissible
Technique
variation over the maximum limit or under the minimum limit
E 548 Guide for General Criteria Used for Evaluating
of a specified element and applicable only to product analyses,
Laboratory Competence
not cast or heat analyses.
E 572 Test Method for Analysis of Stainless and Alloy
NOTE 2—The term “analysis tolerance” is often misunderstood. It does
Steels by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
not apply to cast or heat analyses determined to show conformance to
E 663 Practice for Flame Atomic Absorption Analysis
specified chemical limits. It applies only to product analysis and becomes
E 743 Guide for Spectrochemical Laboratory Quality As-
meaningful only when the heat analysis of an element falls close to one of
surance
the specified limits. For example, stainless steel UNS 30400 limits for
chromium are 18.00 to 20.00 %. A heat that the producer reported as
E 851 Practice for Evaluation of Spectrochemical laborato-
18.01 % chromium may be found to show 17.80 % chromium by a user
ries
performing a product analysis. If the product analysis tolerance for such a
E 882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the
chromium level is 0.20 %, the product analysis of 17.80 % chromium
Chemical Analysis Laboratory
would be acceptable. A product analysis of 17.79 % would not be
E 1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, acceptable.
Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel and in Iron, Nickel, and
3.1.1.4 proprietary analytical method—a non-standard ana-
Cobalt Alloys
lytical method, not published by ASTM, utilizing reference
E 1024 Guide for Chemical Analysis of Metals and Metal
standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and
Bearing Ores by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectropho-
Technology (NIST) (when available) or other sources refer-
tometry
enced in Section 10.
E 1063 Test Method for X-Ray Emission Spectrometric
3.1.1.5 referee analysis—performed using ASTM methods
Determination of Cerium and Lanthanum in Carbon and
listed in 9.1.1 and NIST reference standards or methods and
Low-Alloy Steel
reference standards agreed upon between parties.The selection
E 1086 Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectro-
of a laboratory to perform the referee analysis shall be a matter
metric Analysis of Stainless Steel by Point-to-Plane Exci-
of agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.
tation Technique
3.1.1.6 certified reference material—a specimen of material
E 1087 Practice for Sampling Molten Steel From a Ladle
speciallyprepared,analyzed,andcertifiedforchemicalcontent
Using an Immersion Sampler to Produce a Specimen for
under the jurisdiction of a recognized standardizing agency or
Emission Spectrochemical Analysis
group, such as the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
E 1097 Guide for Direct Current Plasma Emission Spec-
nology, for use by analytical laboratories as an accurate basis
trometry Analysis
for comparison. Reference samples should bear sufficient
E 1184 Practice for Electrothermal (Graphite Furnace)
resemblance to the material to be analyzed so that no signifi-
Atomic Absorption Analysis cant differences are required in procedures or corrections (for
E 1282 Guide for Specifying the Chemical Compositions example, for interferences or inter-element effects).
and Selecting Sampling Practices and Quantitative Analy- 3.1.1.7 working reference materials—reference materials
sis Methods for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials used for routine analytical control and traceable to NIST
A751–01 (2006)
standards and other recognized standards when appropriate 5.2 If the test samples taken for the heat analysis are lost,
standards are available. inadequate, or not representative of the heat, a product analysis
3.1.2 Pertaining to Elements: ofthesemifinishedorfinishedproductmaybeusedtoestablish
3.1.2.1 intentionally added unspecified element—an ele- the heat analysis.
5.2.1 If a product analysis is made to establish the heat
ment added in controlled amounts at the option of the producer
to obtain desirable characteristics. analysis, the product analysis shall meet the specified limits for
heat analysis and the product analysis tolerances described in
3.1.2.2 residual element—a specified or unspecified ele-
ment, not intentionally added, originating in raw materials, Section 6 do not apply.
refractories, or air.
6. Product Analysis Requirements
3.1.2.3 specified element—an element controlled to a speci-
fied range, maximum or minimum, in accordance with the
6.1 Forproductanalysis,therangeofthespecifiedchemical
requirements of the product specification.
composition is normally greater (designated product analysis
3.1.2.4 trace element—a residual element that may occur in
tolerances) than that applicable to heat analyses to take into
very low concentrations, generally less than 0.01 %. account deviations associated with analytical reproducibility
and the heterogeneity of the steel. If several determinations of
4. Concerning the Specification of Chemical Composition any element in the heat are made, they may not vary both
Requirements above and below the specified range.
6.2 Product analysis tolerances may not be used to deter-
4.1 It is recommended that Guide E 1282 be consulted as a
mine conformance to the specified heat or cast analysis unless
guide for specifying the chemical compositions for steels.
permitted by the individual material specification.
4.2 The recommended practice for specifying chemical
6.3 Product analysis tolerances, where available, are given
composition limits is to limit the number of significant figures
in the individual material specifications or in the general
foreachelementsothatthenumberoffigurestotherightofthe
requirement specifications.
decimal point conforms to the following:
Chemical Maximum Number of Figures to
7. Unspecified Elements (Note 4)
Concentration the Right of the Decimal Point
Up to 0.010 % — 0.XXXX or may be expressed as ppm
7.1 Reportinganalysesofunspecifiedelementsispermitted.
Up to 0.10 % — 0.XXX
0.10 to 3.00 % — 0.XX
NOTE 4—All commercial metals contain small amounts of various
Over 3.0 % — 0.X
elementsinadditiontothosewhicharespecified.Itisneitherpracticalnor
necessary to specify limits for every unspecified element that might be
4.3 For those cases in which the composition range spans
present, despite the fact that the presence of many of these elements is
either0.10 %or 3.0 %,thenumberoffigurestotheright of the
often routinely determined by the producer.
decimal is to be determined by that indicated by the upper
7.2 Analysislimitsshallbeestablishedforspecificelements
limit.
rather than groups of elements such as “all others,” “rare
4.4 Technicalconsiderationsmaydictatetheemploymentof
earths,” and “balance.”
less than the number of figures to the right of the decimal as
previously recommended.
8. Sampling
NOTE 3—The recommendations should be employed to reduce the
8.1 Cast or Heat Analyses:
number of significant figures, such as from 18.00 % to 18.0 %, but a
8.1.1 Samples shall be taken, insofar as possible, during the
significant figure should never be added unless there is a technical reason
casting of a heat, at a time which, in the producer’s judgment,
for so doing.
best represents the composition of the cast.
5. Cast or Heat Analysis
8.1.2 In case the heat analysis samples or analyses are lost
or inadequate, or when it is evident that the sample does not
5.1 The producer shall perform analyses for those elements
truly represent the heat, representative samples may be taken
specified in the material specification. The results of such
from the semifinished or finished product, in which case such
analyses shall conform to the requirements specified in the
samples may be analyzed to satisfy the specified requirements.
material specification.
The analysis shall meet the specified limits for heat analysis.
5.1.1 For multiple heats, either individual heat or cast
8.2 Check, Product, or Verification Analyses—Unless oth-
analysis or an average heat or cast analysis shall be reported. If
erwise specified, the latest revision of Practice E59 s
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