ASTM E255-91(1997)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination of Chemical Composition
Standard Practice for Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination of Chemical Composition
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the sampling of copper (except electrolytic cathode) and copper alloys in either cast or wrought form for the determination of composition.
1.2 Cast products may be in the form of cake, billet, wire bar, ingot, ingot bar, or casting.
1.3 Wrought products may be in the form of flat, pipe, tube, rod, bar, shape, or forging.
1.4 This practice is not intended to supersede or replace existing specification requirements for the sampling of a particular material.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are given for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. A specific precautionary statement appears in Appendix X4.
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Designation:E255–91(Reapproved 1997)
Standard Practice for
Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination
of Chemical Composition
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 255; 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 (ε) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.1.5 test piece, n—an individual product selected at one
time from a lot.
1.1 This practice describes the sampling of copper (except
2.1.6 test sample, n—a composite of material taken by
electrolytic cathode) and copper alloys in either cast or
approximate proportional weight from each of the test pieces
wrought form for the determination of composition.
and from which the test portion shall be taken.
1.2 Cast products may be in the form of cake, billet, wire
2.1.7 test portion, n—the quantity of material taken from
bar, ingot, ingot bar, or casting.
the test sample which is subjected to an analytical procedure.
1.3 Wrought products may be in the form of flat, pipe, tube,
rod, bar, shape, or forging.
NOTE 1—Appendix X1 describes the refinery shapes. Appendix X2
1.4 This practice is not intended to supersede or replace describes the fabricators’ forms.
existing specification requirements for the sampling of a
3. Significance and Use
particular material.
3.1 This practice is intended primarily for the sampling of
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
copper and copper alloys for compliance with compositional
as the standard. The values in parentheses are given for
specification requirements.
information only.
3.2 The selection of correct test pieces and the preparation
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of a representative sample from such test pieces are necessary
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
prerequisites to every analysis.The analytical results will be of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
little value unless the sample represents the average composi-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tion of the material from which it was prepared.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific precau-
tionary statement appears in Appendix X4.
4. Selection of Test Pieces
2. Terminology
4.1 Casting:
4.1.1 Finished Product or Shipment Sample:
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.1.1.1 A shipping lot shall consist of all castings of the
2.1.1 casting, n—a general term for a metal object produced
same configuration and size necessary to comply with the
at or near-finished shape by pouring or otherwise introducing
requirements of a single purchase order.
molten metal into a mold and allowing it to solidify.
4.1.1.2 Castings are frequently produced in advance of
2.1.2 wrought, adj—a general term referring to a metal
orders and manufacturer’s or foundry lots may intermingle in
object produced by either hot-working or cold-working opera-
stock.
tions such as forming, bending, cupping, drawing, and hot
4.1.1.3 Since the size and configuration of castings vary, the
pressing.
number of test pieces to be selected shall be subject to
2.1.3 lot, n—as used in this practice, the unit to be sampled,
agreement between the manufacturer or supplier and the
in pounds or pieces.
purchaser.
2.1.4 gross sample, n—the total amount of all test pieces
4.1.2 Manufacturer’s or Foundry Sample:
selected to represent the lot.
4.1.2.1 For routine sampling and at the option of the
manufacturer, a lot shall consist of the following:
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-1 on Analytical
(a)All of the metal poured from a single furnace or crucible
Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
melt, or
Subcommittee E01.07 on Cu and Cu Alloys.
(b) All of the metal poured from two or more furnaces into
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 1991. Published November 1991. Originally
published as E 255 – 66. Last previous edition E 255 – 87. a single ladle, or
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E255
(c) All of the metal poured from a continuous melting 4.3.2 Manufacturer’s or Foundry Sample:
furnace between charges, or 4.3.2.1 For routine sampling, the manufacturer shall have
(d) All of the metal poured from an individual melting the option of taking samples during the course of manufacture.
furnace, or group of melting furnaces, having a uniform Samples may be taken at the time castings are poured or from
meltingstock,operatingduringthecourseofone-halfshift,not the semifinished product.
to exceed 5 h.
4.3.2.2 When samples are taken at the time castings are
4.1.2.2 The sample taken for lot analysis shall be obtained poured, at least one sample shall be taken for each group of
castings poured from the source of molten metal.
during the pouring of the liquid metal into the mold, or molds,
in such a manner as to be representative of the lot and able to 4.3.2.3 When samples are taken from the semifinished
be drilled or used in solid form. product, a sample shall be taken to represent each 10 000 lb, or
fraction thereof, except that not more than one sample shall be
4.1.2.3 Plant sampling practices should be developed and
implemented which will give homogeneous samples represen- required per piece. Only one sample need be taken from the
semifinished product of one cast bar from a single melt charge
tative of the cast or heat, and free of porosity.Analytical results
are frequently obtained by an optical emission technique and, continuously processed.
depending upon the metallurgical history of the sample, results
may vary. Therefore, it is advisable to cool or quench the 5. Sampling
sample in a reproducible manner.
5.1 General Considerations:
4.1.2.4 When foundry lot traceability is specified in the
5.1.1 The saw, drill bit, cutter, or other tool used shall be
purchase order, additional samples shall be taken, identified,
thoroughlycleanedpriortouse.Thespeedofsamplingshallbe
and set aside when so requested by the purchaser.
so regulated that excessive heating and consequent oxidation is
4.2 Cast Product:
avoided. Carbide-tipped tools are recommended. Steel tools,
4.2.1 For routine sampling and at the option of the manu-
when used, must be magnetizable to assist in the removal of
facturer, a lot shall consist of all of the metal poured from a
extraneous iron. Only carbide-tipped or other wear-resistant
single furnace melt or all of the metal poured from a continu-
tools shall be used to sample metal which contains a magnetic
ous melting furnace during a single casting cycle.
phase.
4.2.2 Unless otherwise agreed between the manufacturer
5.1.1.1 In the rare instance where tool lubricant is necessary
and the purchaser, sampling of a single lot shall be as follows:
to obtain a satisfactory sample, the lubricant must be one that
4.2.2.1 Single Furnace Charge—The number of samples
will not react with the metal. The lubricant must be completely
required depends on the size of the melting furnace and
removed immediately after the sampling operation by washing
homogeneity of the melt.Asmall well-stirred, alloying furnace
with a solvent which also does not react with the metal.
such as one inductively heated and of less than 50 000 lb
5.1.2 The test pieces shall be clean and free from scale, dirt,
(22 680 kg) shall require but one sample taken midway in the
oil, grease, and other extraneous contaminants before sam-
pour. A large mechanically stirred furnace shall require a
pling.
minimum of three samples taken, one each at the beginning,
5.1.3 Test pieces taken from product not subject to signifi-
middle, and end of the casting period.
cant segregation shall be sampled by drilling, milling, or
4.2.2.2 Continuous Melting Furnace—A minimum of one
sawing each test piece. Sampling may also be carried out by
sample shall be taken for each3hofthe casting cycle.
clipping in the case of thin or small pieces.
4.3 Wrought Products:
5.1.4 Test pieces taken from product subject to significant
4.3.1 Finished Product or Shipment Sample:
segregation shall be sampled by drilling or sawing completely
4.3.1.1 The lot size, gross sample size, and selection of test through each test piece, or by milling the entire cross section of
pieces shall be as follows:
each test piece.
(a) Lot Size—An inspection lot shall be 10 000 lb or less of 5.2 Finished Product or Shipment Sampling:
the same mill form, alloy, temper, and nominal dimensions,
5.2.1 Castings:
subject to inspection at one time; or it shall be the product of
5.2.1.1 Different parts of a casting may vary in composition.
one cast bar from a single melt charge, whose weight shall not
Therefore, a sample from a single casting must be taken with
exceed 20 000 lb, which was continuously processed and
care if it is to be representative of that casting. To obtain a
subject to inspection at one time.
sample representative of a lot of the finished product a number
(b) Gross Sample—The gross sample shall be four or more of test pieces should be sampled individually. In any case, the
pieces selected to be representative of the lot. Should the lot
sample should be taken so as to be representative and large
consist of four pieces or less, the entire lot shall constitute the enough to suffice for all of the required determinations.
gross sample.
5.2.1.2 Where possible, depending on size and configura-
(c) Test Piece—Each test piece shall be selected so as to be tion, the casting shall be sampled by drilling five holes equally
representative of the lot. spaced around or along the casting. The drilling shall be done
4.3.1.2 When possible, test pieces shall be selected in a dry and the drill size shall be the largest practical, but not less
than ⁄4 in. (6.4 mm). Care shall be exercised that no dirt, scale,
manner that will represent correctly the material furnished but
also avoid needless destruction of finished product (such as or other foreign material is included with the drillings.
when samples representative of the material are available from 5.2.1.3 When limited by size or configuration, or both, the
other sources). castings shall be sampled by milling the entire cross-section,
E255
by sawing through the cross section at several points, or by 6.1.3 The test sample shall be prepared by thoroughly
drilling entirely through the casting at several points. mixing equal masses of drillings, millings, sawings, or clip-
5.2.2 Cast Products—Horizontally or vertically cast prod- pings which shall have first been determined to be of uniform
ucts shall be sampled by drilling a minimum of five holes at size.
points equally spaced between the test piece ends. For billet,
6.1.4 The test sample shall weigh at least four times that
wire bar, and ingot these holes shall be along the middle line
required for the total analysis, and shall be divided into four
and for cake on a diagonal line between opposite corners.
equal portions. Each portion shall be placed in an identified
Alternatively, the cross section of the product may be milled at
container and sealed; one portion each shall be reserved for the
similar points. Sampling test pieces of mass greater than 1000
manufacturer and the purchaser; one portion shall constitute
lb (454 kg) shall be subject to agreement between the manu-
the reserve; and, when necessary, one portion shall be used for
facturer and the purchaser.
any umpire work.
5.2.3 Wrought Products—Flatproduct,rod,bar,shape,tube,
6.1.4.1 Material to be stored over a long period, which
or forging shall be sampled by drilling, milling, or sawing the
oxidizes readily, or which alters in composition under varying
entire cross section at a minimum of three points along the
atmospheric conditions should be kept under a protective gas,
length of the test piece.Thin material may be folded or stacked
such as nitrogen, in an airtight container of suitable size and
for sampling or, alternatively, it may be clipped.
composition. This same storage should be used when contami-
5.3 Manufacturer’s or Foundry Lot:
nation by paper or cardboard fibers is a concern.
5.3.1 The sampling procedure used is dependent on the
6.2 Manufacturer’s or Foundry Sample—The preparation
nature of the particular operation and, therefore, shall be at the
of the manufacturer’s or foundry sample shall be at the
discretion of the particular operation.
discretion of the reporting laboratory.
5.3.2 When a complete cross section is required for spec-
trochemical analysis, it must be properly identified prior to
7. Preparation of Test Portion
using the remainder of the test piece for other test sampling.
7.1 Preparation of the test portion for analysis varies with
NOTE 2—Appendix X3 addresses principles of sampling theory. Ap-
theparticularmethodusedandshallbetheresponsibilityofthe
pendix X4 addresses application of sampling theory.
reporting laboratory.
6. Sampling Preparation
6.1 Finished Product or Shipment Lot:
8. Resampling
6.1.1 For metal that does not contain a magnetic phase,
8.1 In case of dissatisfaction with the sample prepared from
drillings, millings, sawings, or clippings shall be carefully
the finished product, either party may require the material to be
subjected to a strong magnet to remove any iron particles
resampled.
introduced during sampling.
6.1.2 For metal that contains a magnetic phase, a wear-
9. Keywords
resistant tool, such as carbide tipped, must be used and
magnetic cleaning must not be applied. 9.1 copper; copper alloys; sampling
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. DEFINITIONS OF REFINERY SHAPES
X1.1 billet—cast shape used for piercing and extrusion into thick, weighing up to about 360 lb (163 kg), and may have
tubular products or for extrusion into rods, bars, and shapes; hanging loops attached. Cathodes may also be cut to smaller
circular in cross section, usually 3 to 16 in. (76 to 406 mm) in dimensions.
diameter, normally ranging in weight from 100 to 4200 lb (45
X1.4 ingot and ingot bar—cast shape used for remelting
to 1905 kg).
(not fabrication). Ingots normally range in weight from 20 to
X1.2 cake—cast shape used for rolling into plate, sheet, 35 lb (9 to 16 kg) and ingot bars from 50 to 70 lb (23 to 323
strip,orshape;rectangularincrosssectionandofvarioussizes, kg). Both are usually notched to facilitate breaking into smaller
normallyranginginweightfrom140to62 000lb(63to28 200 pieces.
kg).
X1.5 wire bar—a refinery shape used for rolling into rod or
X1.3 cathode—unmelted, electrodeposited, and somewhat flatproductfor
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