ASTM E478-08

Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods for the chemical analysis of metals and alloys are primarily intended as referee methods to test such materials for compliance with compositional specifications. It is assumed that all who use these methods will be trained 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 These test methods cover the chemical analysis of copper alloys having chemical compositions within the following limits:
  ElementConcentration, %  Aluminum12.0 max Antimony 1.0 max Arsenic 1.0 max Cadmium 1.5 max Cobalt 1.0 max Copper40.0 min Iron 6.0 max Lead27.0 max Manganese 6.0 max Nickel50.0 max Phosphorus 1.0 max Silicon 5.0 max Sulfur 0.1 max Tin20.0 max Zinc50.0 max
1.2 The test methods appear in the following order:
Sections Aluminum by the Carbamate Extraction-Ethyl-
enedinitrilotetraacetate Titrimetric Test Method [2 % to 12 %]71-78 Copper by the Combined Electrodeposition Gravimetric and Oxalyldihydrazide Photometric Test Method [50 %, minimum]10-18 Iron by the 1,10-Phenanthroline Photometric Test Method [0.003 % to 1.25 %]19-28 Lead by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [0.002 % to 15 %]90-100 Lead by the Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid (EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2.0 % to 30.0 %]29-36 Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Extraction Photometric Test Method [0.03 % to 5.0 %]37-46 Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Gravimetric Test Method [4 % to 50 %]55-62 Silver in Silver-Bearing Copper by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [0.01 % to 0.12 %]101-112 Tin by the Iodotimetric Titration Test Method [0.5 % to 20 %]63-70 Tin by the Phenylfluorone Photometric Test Method [0.01 % to 1.0 %]113-123 Zinc by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [0.2 % to 2 %]79-89 Zinc by the Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid (EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2 % to 40 %]47-54
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in 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.  
10.1 This test method covers the determination of copper in concentrations greater than 50 %.  
19.1 This test method covers the determination of iron in concentrations from 0.003 % to 1.25 %.  
29.1 This test method covers the determination of lead in concentrations from 2.0 % to 30.0 %.  
37.1 This test method covers the determination of nickel in concentrations from 0.03 % to 5.0 %.  
47.1 This test method covers the determination of zinc in the range from 2 % to 40 %.  
55.1 This test method covers the determination of nickel in concentrations from 4 % to 50 %.  
63.1 This test method covers the determination of tin in concentrations from 0.5 % to 20 %.  
71.1 This test method covers the determination of aluminum in concentrations from 2 % to 12 %.  
79.1 This test method covers the determination of zinc in concentrations from 0.02 % to 2 %.  
90.1 This test method covers the determination of lead in concentrations from 0.002 % to 15 %.  
101.1 This test method covers the determination of silver in concentrations from 0.01 % to 0.12 %.  
113.1 This test method covers the determination of tin in concentrations from 0.01 % to 1.0 %.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2008
• ICS: 77.040.30 - Chemical analysis of metals
• ICS: 77.120.30 - Copper and copper alloys
• 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

• Replaces: ASTM E478-03 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B42-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Pipe, Standard Sizes
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B453/B453M-19 - Standard Specification for Copper-Zinc-Lead Alloy (Leaded-Brass) Rod, Bar, and Shapes
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B249/B249M-22 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Wrought Copper and Copper-Alloy Rod, Bar, Shapes and Forgings
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B49-20 - Standard Specification for Copper Rod for Electrical Purposes
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B206/B206M-12(2017) - Standard Specification for Copper-Nickel-Zinc (Nickel Silver) Wire and Copper-Nickel Alloy Wire
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B99/B99M-15(2021) - Standard Specification for Copper-Silicon Alloy Wire for General Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B395/B395M-18 - Standard Specification for U-Bend Seamless Copper and Copper Alloy Heat Exchanger and Condenser Tubes
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B467-14(2022) - Standard Specification for Welded Copper-Nickel Pipe
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B694-19 - Standard Specification for Copper, Copper-Alloy, Copper-Clad Bronze (CCB), Copper-Clad Stainless Steel (CCS), and Copper-Clad Alloy Steel (CAS) Sheet and Strip for Electrical Cable Shielding
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F3042-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Nonferrous Hex Socket, Slotted Headless, and Square Head Set Screws
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B608-18 - Standard Specification for Welded Copper-Alloy Pipe
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B5-22 - Standard Specification for High Conductivity Tough-Pitch Copper Refinery Shapes
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B36/B36M-18 - Standard Specification for Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, And Rolled Bar
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B644-11(2017) - Standard Specification for Copper Alloy Addition Agents
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2008

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: E478 − 08
Standard Test Methods for
1
Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E478; 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
Tin by the Iodotimetric Titration Test Method
[0.5 % to 20 %] 63-70
1.1 These test methods cover the chemical analysis of
Tin by the Phenylfluorone Photometric Test
copper alloys having chemical compositions within the follow- Method [0.01 % to 1.0 %] 113-123
2
Zinc by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [0.2 %
ing limits:
to 2 %] 79-89
Element Concentration, % Zinc by the Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid
(EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2 % to 40 %] 47-54
Aluminum 12.0 max
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Antimony 1.0 max
Arsenic 1.0 max
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Cadmium 1.5 max
standard.
Cobalt 1.0 max
Copper 40.0 min
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Iron 6.0 max
Lead 27.0 max
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Manganese 6.0 max
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Nickel 50.0 max
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Phosphorus 1.0 max
Silicon 5.0 max
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Sulfur 0.1 max
Tin 20.0 max
Zinc 50.0 max
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 The test methods appear in the following order: 3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Sections
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Aluminum by the Carbamate Extraction-Ethyl-
Determine Conformance with Specifications
enedinitrilotetraacetate Titrimetric Test
Method [2 % to 12 %] 71-78
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
Copper by the Combined Electrodeposition
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
Gravimetric and Oxalyldihydrazide Photomet-
ric Test Method [50 %, minimum] 10-18 Related Materials
Iron by the 1,10-Phenanthroline Photometric
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
Test Method [0.003 % to 1.25 %] 19-28
Materials by Spectrophotometry
Lead by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
[0.002%to15%] 90-100
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
Lead by the Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
(EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2.0 % to
30.0 %] 29-36 E173 Practice for Conducting Interlaboratory Studies of
Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Extraction Pho-
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals (Withdrawn
tometric Test Method [0.03 % to 5.0 %] 37-46
4
1998)
Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Gravimetric
Test Method [4 % to 50 %] 55-62
E255 Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for
Silver in Silver-Bearing Copper by Atomic Ab-
the Determination of Chemical Composition
sorption Spectrometry [0.01 % to 0.12 %] 101-112
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and are the direct
3
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.05 on Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sn, Be, theirAlloys, and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Related Metals. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2008. Published February 2009. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E478 – 03. DOI: the ASTM website.
4
10.1520/E0478-08. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
2
The actual limits of application of each test method are presented in 1.2. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E478 − 08
3. Terminology copper deposited electrolytically. Loss of platinum from the
anode is minimized by the addition of lead. The copper
3.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods, refer
oxalyldihydrazide complex is formed with the copper remain-
to Terminology E135.
ing in the electrolyte. Photometric measurement is made at
approximately 540 nm.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods for the chemical analysis of metals
12. Interferences
and alloys are primarily intended as referee methods to test
such materials for compliance with compositional specifica-
12.1 The elements ordinarily p
...

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:E478–03 Designation:E478–08
Standard Test Methods for
1
Chemical Analysis of Copper Alloys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 478; 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
2
1.1 These test methods cover the chemical analysis of copper alloys having chemical compositions within the following limits:
Element Concentration, %
Aluminum 12.0 max
Antimony 1.0 max
Arsenic 1.0 max
Cadmium 1.5 max
Cobalt 1.0 max
Copper 40.0 min
Iron 6.0 max
Lead 27.0 max
Manganese 6.0 max
Nickel 50.0 max
Phosphorus 1.0 max
Silicon 5.0 max
Sulfur 0.1 max
Tin 20.0 max
Zinc 50.0 max
1.2 The test methods appear in the following order:
Sections
Aluminum by the Carbamate Extraction-(Ethyl- 70-77 Aluminum
enedinitrilo) Tetraacetate Titrimetric Test by the Carbamate
Method [2 to 12 %] Extraction-Ethyl-
enedinitrilotetraac-
etate Titrimetric
Test Method [2 %
to 12 %]
Copper by the Combined Electrodeposition
Gravimetric and Oxalyldihydrazide Photomet-
ric Test Method [50 %, minimum]9-17 10-18
Copper by the Combined Electrodeposition
Gravimetric and Oxalyldihydrazide Photomet-
ric Test Method [50 %, minimum] 10-18
Iron by the 1,10-Phenanthroline Photometric
Test Method [0.003 to 1.25 %] 18-27
Iron by the 1,10-Phenanthroline Photometric
Test Method [0.003 % to 1.25 %] 19-28
Lead by the Atomic Absorption Test Method 89-99 Lead by
[0.002 to 15 %] Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry
[0.002%to15%]
Lead by the (Ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic Acid
(EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2.0 to
30.0 %] 28-35
Lead by the Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid
(EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2.0 % to
30.0 %] 29-36
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E01 onAnalytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and are the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E01.05 on Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sn, Be, their Alloys, and Related Metals.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2003.Dec. 15, 2008. Published September 2003.February 2009. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in
19962003 as E478–89a(1996). E 478 – 03.
2
The actual limits of application of each test method are presented in 1.2.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E478–08
Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Extraction Pho-
tometric Test Method [0.03 to 5.0 %] 36-45
Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Extraction Pho-
tometric Test Method [0.03 % to 5.0 %] 37-46
Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Gravimetric
Test Method [4 to 50 %] 54-61
Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Gravimetric
Test Method [4 % to 50 %] 55-62
Silver in Silver-Bearing Copper by the Atomic 100-111 Silver in
Absorption Test Method [0.01 to 0.12 %] Silver-Bearing
Copper by Atomic
Absorption Spec-
trometry [0.01 %
to 0.12 %]
Tin by the Iodatimetric Titration Test Method
[0.5 to 20 %] 62-69
Tin by the Iodotimetric Titration Test Method
[0.5 % to 20 %] 63-70
Tin by the Phenylfluorone Photometric Test
Method [0.01 to 1.0 %] 112-122
Tin by the Phenylfluorone Photometric Test
Method [0.01 % to 1.0 %] 113-123
Zinc by Atomic Spectrometry [0.2 to 2 %] 78-88 Zinc by
Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry
[0.2 % to 2 %]
Zinc by the (Ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic Acid
(EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2 to 40 %] 46-53
Zinc by the Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid
(EDTA) Titrimetric Test Method [2 % to 40 %] 47-54
1.3
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in 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
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Precautions for Chemical Analysis of Metals Practices for Apparatus,
Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
4
E60 Practice for Photomet
...