ASTM E2403-23

Standard Test Method for Sulfated Ash of Organic Materials by Thermogravimetry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The sulfated ash value indicates the level of known metal-containing additives or impurities in an organic material. When phosphorus is absent, barium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium are converted to their sulfates. Tin and zinc are converted to their oxides.  
5.2 This test method may be used for research and development, specification acceptance, and quality assurance purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the determination of sulfated ash content (sometimes called residue-on-ignition) of organic materials by thermogravimetry. This test method converts common metals found in organic materials (such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and tin) into their sulfate salts permitting estimation of their total content as sulfates or oxides. The range of this test method is from 0.1 % to 100 % metal content.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 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: 31-Jul-2023
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• Technical Committee: E37 - Thermal Measurements
• Drafting Committee: E37.01 - Calorimetry and Mass Loss

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E1131-20 - Standard Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020

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: E2403 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Sulfated Ash of Organic Materials by Thermogravimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2403; 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* E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
E1582 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Thermo-
1.1 This test method describes the determination of sulfated
gravimetric Analyzers
ash content (sometimes called residue-on-ignition) of organic
E2040 Test Method for Mass Scale Calibration of Thermo-
materials by thermogravimetry. This test method converts
gravimetric Analyzers
common metals found in organic materials (such as sodium,
E3142 Test Method for Thermal Lag of Thermal Analysis
potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and tin) into
Apparatus
their sulfate salts permitting estimation of their total content as
sulfates or oxides. The range of this test method is from 0.1 % 2.2 Other Standards:
to 100 % metal content. The United States Pharmacopeia XXII and The National
Formulary XVII, United States Pharmacopeial
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Convention, Rockville, MD, 1990, Section 281, p. 1527
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions—Technical terms used in this standard are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
defined in Terminologies E473 and E1142.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 residue-on-ignition, ROI, n—a commonly used alias
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
for sulfated ash.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1.2 sulfated ash, n—the residue remaining after a speci-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- men has been oxidized, and the residue subsequently treated
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the with sulfuric acid and heated to constant weight.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.3 volatiles, n—for the purpose of this test, those mate-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
rials evolving as gas at temperatures below 160 °C in an air
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
atmosphere.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Method
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 A test specimen is ignited and burned in an air atmo-
D874 Test Method for Sulfated Ash from Lubricating Oils
sphere at temperatures up to 600 °C until only ash remains.
and Additives
After cooling, the residue is treated with sulfuric acid and
D914 Test Methods for Ethylcellulose
heated to 800 °C to constant weight. The residue remaining is
D3516 Test Methods for Ashing Cellulose
identified as sulfated ash.
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rhe-
ology 4.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D874 for
lubricating oils and additives, Test Methods D914 for ethyl
E1131 Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermo-
gravimetry cellulose, Test Methods D3516 cellulose, and that of The
United States Pharmacopeia XXII and makes use of thermo-
gravimetric apparatus to perform the determination.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E37 on Thermal
Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.01 on Calo-
rimetry and Mass Loss.
5. Significance and Use
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally
5.1 The sulfated ash value indicates the level of known
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E2403 – 06 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/E2403-23.
metal-containing additives or impurities in an organic material.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
When phosphorus is absent, barium, calcium, magnesium,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
sodium and potassium are converted to their sulfates. Tin and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. zinc are converted to their oxides.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2403 − 23
5.2
...

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: E2403 − 06 (Reapproved 2018) E2403 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Sulfated Ash of Organic Materials by Thermogravimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2403; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method describes the determination of sulfated ash content (sometimes called residue-on-ignition) of organic
materials by thermogravimetry. This test method converts common metals found in organic materials (such as sodium, potassium,
lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and tin) into their sulfate salts permitting estimation of their total content as sulfates or oxides.
The range of this test method is from 0.10.1 % to 100 % metal content.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D874 Test Method for Sulfated Ash from Lubricating Oils and Additives
D914 Test Methods for Ethylcellulose
D3516 Test Methods for Ashing Cellulose
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E1131 Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
E1582 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Thermogravimetric Analyzers
E2040 Test Method for Mass Scale Calibration of Thermogravimetric Analyzers
E3142 Test Method for Thermal Lag of Thermal Analysis Apparatus
2.2 Other Standards:
The United States Pharmacopeia XXII and The National Formulary XVII, United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Rockville,
MD, 1990, Section 281, p. 1527
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Technical terms used in this standard are defined in Terminologies E473 and E1142.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E37 on Thermal Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.01 on Calorimetry
and Mass Loss.
Current edition approved April 1, 2018Aug. 1, 2023. Published May 2018August 2023. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20122018 as
E2403 – 06 (2012).(2018). DOI: 10.1520/E2403-06R18.10.1520/E2403-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2403 − 23
3.1.1 residue-on-ignition, ROI, n—a commonly used alias for sulfated ash.
3.1.2 sulfated ash, n—the residue remaining after a specimen has been oxidized, and the residue subsequently treated with sulfuric
acid and heated to constant weight.
3.1.2 residue-on-ignition, ROI, n—a commonly used alias for sulfated ash.
3.1.3 volatiles, n—for the purpose of this test, those materials evolving as gas at temperatures below 160°C160 °C in an air
atmosphere.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A test specimen is ignited and burned in an air atmosphere at temperatures up to 600°C600 °C until only ash remains. After
cooling, the residue is treated with sulfuric acid and heated to 800°C800 °C to constant weight. The residue remaining is identified
as sulfated ash.
4.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D874 for lubricating oils and additives, Test Methods D914 for ethyl cellulose, Test
Methods D3516 cellulose, and that of The United States Pharmacopeia XXII and makes use of thermogravimetric apparatus to
perform the determination.
5. Significance and Use
5.1
...