ASTM B589-94(2021)

Standard Specification for Refined Palladium

ABSTRACT
This specification covers refined palladium as sponge, cast bar, and wrought forms in one grade designated as Grade 99.95 (UNS PO3995). The metal may be produced by any refining process that yields a product capable of meeting the chemical composition requirements prescribed for palladium, platinum group metals other than palladium, gold, silver, lead, tin, zinc, iron, copper, silicon, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, nickel, chromium, cobalt, manganese, and antimony. The surfaces of bars and wrought forms shall exhibit quality generally acceptable to the trade. Sampling requirements for chemical analysis including lot size are given.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers refined palladium as sponge, cast bar, and wrought forms (Note 1) in one grade as follows:  
1.1.1 Grade 99.95 (UNS PO3995)—Palladium having a purity of 99.95 %.
Note 1: Other forms of unfabricated palladium of commerce are not to be excluded under this specification.
Note 2: For the purposes of determining conformance with this specification, an observed value obtained from analysis shall be rounded to the nearest unit in the last right hand place of figures used in expressing the limiting value, in accordance with the rounding method of Practice E29.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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 become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, 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-Oct-2021
• ICS: 77.120.99 - Other non-ferrous metals and their alloys
• Technical Committee: B02 - Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B02.05 - Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E29-08 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E29-06b - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06a - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-May-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-04 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2004
• Refers: ASTM E29-02e1 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 10-May-2002
• Refers: ASTM E29-93a(1999) - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999

Overview

ASTM B589-94(2021): Standard Specification for Refined Palladium establishes the requirements for refined palladium in the forms of sponge, cast bar, and wrought materials. Issued and maintained by ASTM International, this specification ensures the quality, purity, and consistency of palladium (Grade 99.95, UNS PO3995) used across various industries. The standard covers chemical composition, quality assurance, sampling methods, and product identification, supporting global trade and compliance within procurement and manufacturing processes.

Key Topics

• Forms Covered: The standard applies to refined palladium provided as sponge, cast bar, and wrought forms, with a minimum purity level of 99.95%.
• Chemical Composition: Strict limits are established for impurities, including platinum group metals, gold, silver, and other trace elements such as lead, tin, zinc, iron, copper, silicon, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, nickel, chromium, cobalt, manganese, and antimony.
• Manufacturing Methods: Refined palladium may be produced via any refining process that meets the chemical requirements defined by the specification. The refining method must be disclosed to the purchaser upon request.
• Surface Quality: Bars and wrought forms must have a surface quality acceptable to commercial trade standards.
• Sampling and Analysis: Sampling requirements are specified, including lot sizes for different forms. The standard outlines the process for testing and analysis, emphasizing agreement between manufacturer and purchaser.
• Product Marking: Materials must be clearly marked or labeled with the palladium grade, lot or melt number, and precise weight.

Applications

ASTM B589-94(2021) is widely adopted in sectors requiring high-purity palladium, offering value through its consistent and rigorous specification framework:

• Electronics: Used in components such as connectors, switches, and multilayer ceramic capacitors where high conductivity and corrosion resistance are critical.
• Chemical Catalysts: Specified for use in catalytic converters and other industrial catalytic processes demanding high-grade purity.
• Jewelry and Precious Metals: Essential for the fabrication of fine jewelry and other luxury goods that require traceable, high-purity palladium.
• Medical Devices: Ensures the quality of palladium used in dental alloys, surgical instruments, and medical implants.
• Scientific Research: Provides a reliable specification for laboratories requiring certified materials for analytical and experimental applications.

By defining clear analytical and manufacturing requirements, ASTM B589-94(2021) supports procurement decisions, regulatory compliance, and consistent product performance in global supply chains.

Related Standards

For organizations and professionals working with palladium and other nonferrous metals, the following standards are frequently referenced alongside ASTM B589-94(2021):

• ASTM E29 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• ASTM B563 - Standard Specification for Palladium and Palladium Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Foil
• ASTM B568 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by X-Ray Spectrometry

These related standards provide additional guidance on sampling, quality assessment, measurement techniques, and the use of palladium in various fabricated forms.

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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:B589 −94 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Refined Palladium
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B589; 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 Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.1 This specification covers refined palladium as sponge,
3. Materials and Manufacture
cast bar, and wrought forms (Note 1) in one grade as follows:
1.1.1 Grade 99.95 (UNS PO3995)—Palladium having a
3.1 The metal may be produced by any refining process that
purity of 99.95 %.
yields a product capable of meeting the chemical requirements
of this specification. The purchaser, upon request, shall be
NOTE1—Otherformsofunfabricatedpalladiumofcommercearenotto
informed of the refining process used.
be excluded under this specification.
NOTE 2—For the purposes of determining conformance with this
3.2 The surfaces of bars and wrought forms shall exhibit
specification, an observed value obtained from analysis shall be rounded
quality generally acceptable to the trade.
to the nearest unit in the last right hand place of figures used in expressing
the limiting value, in accordance with the rounding method of Practice
E29.
4. Chemical Composition
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
4.1 The refined palladium shall conform to the requirements
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
as to the chemical composition prescribed in Table 1.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
5. Sampling
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 The value of this material is such that special attention
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
must be paid to sampling procedures. The purchaser and
responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar
manufacturer shall agree upon the sampling procedures used.
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate
5.2 Lot Size—Sampling lots shall consist of the following:
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided
5.2.1 Sponge—A single refining lot, and
by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health,
5.2.2 Other Forms—Asingle melt or primary consolidation.
and environmental practices, and determine the applicability
of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Method of Analysis
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
6.1 Pending the development of standardASTM methods of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
chemical or spectrographic analysis, or both, the methods to be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
used shall be a matter of agreement between the manufacturer
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and the purchaser.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
7. Rejection and Rehearing
2. Referenced Documents
7.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of this
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specification may be rejected. Rejection should be reported to
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of
dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer or
supplier may make claim for
...