ASTM E60-11(2016)

Standard Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Spectrophotometry

ABSTRACT
This practice covers general recommendations for photoelectric photometers and spectrometers and for photometric practice for chemical analysis of metals, ores, and related materials. However, this practice does not include a description of every apparatus nor does it present recommendations on every detail of practice in photometric or spectrophotometric methods of chemical analysis of metals. To improve photoelectric photometers and spectrophotometers, some suggestions related to their components are mentioned, in particular, the radiation source (illuminant), filters, monochromators, absorption cells, photosensitive tubes, and current-measuring devices. In addition, prior to using photometric methods in the chemical analysis of metals, ores, and related materials, it is recommended that a complete photometric investigation of the reaction be performed. The investigation shall involve the study of the specificity of the reagent used to produce absorption; validity of Beer's law; effects of salts, solvent, pH, temperature, concentration of reagents, and the order of adding reagents; time required for absorption development and the stability of the absorption; absorption curve of the reagent and the absorbing substances; and optimum concentration range for quantitative analysis.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers general recommendations for photoelectric photometers and spectrophotometers and for photometric practice prescribed in ASTM methods for chemical analysis of metals, sufficient to supplement adequately the ASTM methods. A summary of the fundamental theory and practice of photometry is given. No attempt has been made, however, to include in this practice a description of every apparatus or to present recommendations on every detail of practice in ASTM photometric or spectrophotometric methods of chemical analysis of metals.2  
1.2 These recommendations are intended to apply to the ASTM photometric and spectrophotometric methods for chemical analysis of metals when such standards make definite reference to this practice, as covered in Section 4.  
1.3 In this practice, the terms “photometric” and “photometry” encompass both filter photometers and spectrophotometers, while “spectrophotometry” is reserved for spectrophotometers alone.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2016
• ICS: 77.040.30 - Chemical analysis of metals
• Technical Committee: E01 - Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Drafting Committee: E01.20 - Fundamental Practices

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: E60 − 11 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by
1
Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E60; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E168 Practices for General Techniques of Infrared Quanti-
tative Analysis
1.1 This practice covers general recommendations for pho-
E169 PracticesforGeneralTechniquesofUltraviolet-Visible
toelectric photometers and spectrophotometers and for photo-
Quantitative Analysis
metric practice prescribed in ASTM methods for chemical
E275 PracticeforDescribingandMeasuringPerformanceof
analysis of metals, sufficient to supplement adequately the
Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
ASTM methods. A summary of the fundamental theory and
practice of photometry is given. No attempt has been made,
3. Definitions and Symbols
however, to include in this practice a description of every
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to this practice, refer to
apparatus or to present recommendations on every detail of
Terminology E135.
practice inASTM photometric or spectrophotometric methods
2
of chemical analysis of metals. 3.2 For definitions of terms relating to absorption
spectroscopy, refer to Terminology E131.
1.2 These recommendations are intended to apply to the
ASTM photometric and spectrophotometric methods for 3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to this Practice:
chemical analysis of metals when such standards make definite
3.3.1 background absorption—any absorption in the solu-
reference to this practice, as covered in Section 4. tion due to the presence of absorbing ions, molecules, or
complexes of elements other than that being determined is
1.3 In this practice, the terms “photometric” and “photom-
called background absorption.
etry” encompass both filter photometers and
3.3.2 concentration range—the recommended concentra-
spectrophotometers, while “spectrophotometry” is reserved for
tion range shall be designated on the basis of the optical path
spectrophotometers alone.
of the cell, in centimetres, and the final volume of solution as
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
recommended in a procedure. In general, the concentration
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
range and path length shall be specified as that which will
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
produce transmittance readings in the optimum range of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
instrument being used as covered in Section 14.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.3.3 initial setting—the initial setting is the photometric
reading (usually 100 on the percentage scale or zero on the
2. Referenced Documents
logarithmic scale) to which the instrument is adjusted with the
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
reference solution in the absorption cell. The scale will then
E131 Terminology Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy
read directly in percentage transmittance or in absorbance.
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
3.3.4 photometric reading—the term “photometric reading”
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
refers to the scale reading of the instrument being used.
Available instruments have scales calibrated in transmittance,
4
T, (1) or absorbance, A, (2) (see 5.2), or even arbitrary units
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical
proportional to transmittance or absorbance.
Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
3.3.5 reagent blank—the reagent blank determination yields
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2016. Published August 2016. Originally
a value for the apparent concentration of the element sought,
approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E60 – 11. DOI:
which is due only to the reagents used. It reflects both the
10.1520/E0060-11R16.
amount of the element sought present as an impurity in the
2
For additional information on the theory and photoelectric photometry, see the
list of references at the end of this practice. reagents, and the effect of interfering species.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dri
...

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: E60 − 11 E60 − 11 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by
1
Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E60; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers general recommendations for photoelectric photometers and spectrophotometers and for photometric
practice prescribed in ASTM methods for chemical analysis of metals, sufficient to supplement adequately the ASTM methods. A
summary of the fundamental theory and practice of photometry is given. No attempt has been made, however, to include in this
practice a description of every apparatus or to present recommendations on every detail of practice in ASTM photometric or
2
spectrophotometric methods of chemical analysis of metals.
1.2 These recommendations are intended to apply to the ASTM photometric and spectrophotometric methods for chemical
analysis of metals when such standards make definite reference to this practice, as covered in Section 4.
1.3 In this practice, the terms “photometric” and “photometry” encompass both filter photometers and spectrophotometers,
while “spectrophotometry” is reserved for spectrophotometers alone.
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:
E131 Terminology Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E168 Practices for General Techniques of Infrared Quantitative Analysis
E169 Practices for General Techniques of Ultraviolet-Visible Quantitative Analysis
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
3. Definitions and Symbols
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to this practice, refer to Terminology E135.
3.2 For definitions of terms relating to absorption spectroscopy, refer to Terminology E131.
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to this Practice:
3.3.1 background absorption—any absorption in the solution due to the presence of absorbing ions, molecules, or complexes
of elements other than that being determined is called background absorption.
3.3.2 concentration range—the recommended concentration range shall be designated on the basis of the optical path of the cell,
in centimetres, and the final volume of solution as recommended in a procedure. In general, the concentration range and path length
shall be specified as that which will produce transmittance readings in the optimum range of the instrument being used as covered
in Section 14.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
Current edition approved May 1, 2011Aug. 1, 2016. Published July 2011August 2016. Originally approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 20042011 as
E60 – 98E60 – 11. (Reapproved 2004). DOI: 10.1520/E0060-11.10.1520/E0060-11R16.
2
For additional information on the theory and photoelectric photometry, see the list of references at the end of this practice.
3
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E60 − 11 (2016)
3.3.3 initial setting—the initial setting is the photometric reading (usually 100 on the percentage scale or zero on the logarithmic
scale) to which the instrument is adjusted with the reference solution in the absorption cell. The scale will then read directly in
percentage transmittance or in absorbance.
3.3.4 photometric reading—the term “photometric reading” refers to the scale reading of the
...