ASTM B890-20

Standard Test Method for Determination of Metallic Constituents of Tungsten Alloys and Tungsten Hardmetals by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method allows the determination of the chemical composition of powdered and sintered tungsten-based hardmetals. This test method is not applicable to material which will not oxidize readily at high temperatures in air, such as tungsten/copper, tungsten/silver alloys, or tungsten/cobalt-ruthenium alloys.  
5.2 This test method specified lithium-borate compounds for the glass fusion material. However, numerous other choices are available. These include other lithium-borate compounds, sodium carbonate and borate mixtures, and others. The methodology specified here is still applicable as long as the same fusion mixture is used for both standards and specimens.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determination of the concentration, generally reported as mass percent, of the metallic constituents of tungsten-based alloys and hardmetals utilizing wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). This test method incorporates the preparation of standards using reagent grade metallic oxides, lithium-borate compounds, and fusion techniques. This test method details techniques for preparing representative specimens of both powder and sintered tungsten-based material. This test method is accurate for a wide range of compositions, and can be used for acceptance of material to grade specifications.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to mixtures of tungsten or tungsten carbide with additions of refractory metal carbides and binder metals. Table 1 lists the most common elemental constituents and their concentration range. Note that many of these occur as metallic carbides.    
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: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• ICS: 77.040.30 - Chemical analysis of metals
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.06 - Cemented Carbides

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: B890 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Metallic Constituents of Tungsten Alloys
and Tungsten Hardmetals by X-Ray Fluorescence
1
Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B890; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determi-
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
nationoftheconcentration,generallyreportedasmasspercent,
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
of the metallic constituents of tungsten-based alloys and
E1361 Guide for Correction of Interelement Effects in
hardmetals utilizing wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence
X-Ray Spectrometric Analysis
spectrometry (XRF). This test method incorporates the prepa-
ration of standards using reagent grade metallic oxides,
3. Terminology
lithium-borate compounds, and fusion techniques. This test
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
method details techniques for preparing representative speci-
Terminology E135.
mens of both powder and sintered tungsten-based material.
This test method is accurate for a wide range of compositions,
4. Summary of Test Method
and can be used for acceptance of material to grade specifica-
4.1 A suite of standards which closely match the chemical
tions.
content of the material to be analyzed are prepared using
1.2 This test method is applicable to mixtures of tungsten or
reagent grade metallic oxides. Test samples are oxidized in a
tungsten carbide with additions of refractory metal carbides
high-temperature furnace open to air. Fused glass specimens
and binder metals. Table 1 lists the most common elemental
are prepared for these standards and for the test samples to be
constituents and their concentration range. Note that many of
analyzed. These specimens of oxidized tungsten or tungsten
these occur as metallic carbides.
carbide alloys are irradiated with an energetic primary X-ray
beam. The intensity of the resultant secondary X-rays, charac-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
teristicinenergy,foreachelementalconstituentismeasuredby
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
means of a suitable detector or combination of detectors after
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
diffraction by a Bragg spectrometer. The concentration of each
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
constituent element is calculated by comparison with standard
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
samples which closely match the chemical content of the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
analyzed material.The calculation may be manual, incorporate
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
a calibration curve, or be performed by a computer program
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
which incorporates correction routines for X-ray absorption
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and enhancement effects (see Guide E1361).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method allows the determination of the chemi-
cal composition of powdered and sintered tungsten-based
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
2
mittee B09.06 on Cemented Carbides. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approvedin1998.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2012asB890 – 07(2012).DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/B0890-20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B890 − 20
TABLE 1 Elemental Constituents and Concentration Range
7.8 Platinum Tipped Tongs.
Element Concentration, Mass %
7.9 Weighing Paper.
(minimum - maximum)
7.10 Chemical Spoon and Scoopula.
Chromium (Cr) 0.05 - 5.0
Cobalt (Co) 0.05 - 40
7.11 Ceramic or Quartz Combustion Boat.
Hafnium (Hf) 0.05
...

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: B890 − 07 (Reapproved 2012) B890 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Metallic Constituents of Tungsten Alloys
and Tungsten Hardmetals by X-Ray Fluorescence
1
Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B890; 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
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determination of the concentration, generally reported as mass percent, of the
metallic constituents of tungsten-based alloys and hardmetals utilizing wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry
(XRF). This test method incorporates the preparation of standards using reagent grade metallic oxides, lithium-borate compounds,
and fusion techniques. This test method details techniques for preparing representative specimens of both powder and sintered
tungsten-based material. This test method is accurate for a wide range of compositions, and can be used for acceptance of material
to grade specifications.
1.2 This test method is applicable to mixtures of tungsten or tungsten carbide with additions of refractory metal carbides and
binder metals. Table 1 lists the most common elemental constituents and their concentration range. Note that many of these occur
as metallic carbides.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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:
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E1361 Guide for Correction of Interelement Effects in X-Ray Spectrometric Analysis
3
2.2 Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 67th ed
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology E135.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B09.06
on Cemented Carbides.
Current edition approved October 1, 2012Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2012November 2020. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20072012
as B890 – 07.B890 – 07(2012). DOI: 10.1520/B0890-07R12.10.1520/B0890-20.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B890 − 20
TABLE 1 Elemental Constituents and Concentration Range
Element Concentration, Mass %
(minimum - maximum)
Chromium (Cr) 0.05 - 5.0
Cobalt (Co) 0.05 - 40
Hafnium (Hf) 0.05 - 2.0
Iron (Fe) 0.05 - 2.0
Molybdenum (Mo) 0.05 - 5.0
Nickel (Ni) 0.05 - 30
Niobium (Nb) 0.05 - 15
Tantalum (Ta) 0.05 - 30
Titanium (Ti) 0.05 - 30
Vanadium (V) 0.05 - 2.0
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A suite of standards which closely match the chemical content of the material to be analyzed are prepared using reagent grade
metallic oxides. Test samples are oxidized in a high-temperature furnace open to air. Fused glass specimens are prepared for these
standards and for the test samples to be analyzed. These specimens of oxidized tungsten or tungsten carbide alloys are irradiated
with an energetic primary X-ray beam. The intensity of the resultant secondary X-rays, characteristic in energy, for each elemental
constituent is measured by means of a suitable detector or combination of detectors after diffraction by a Bragg spectrometer. The
concentration of each constituent element is calculated by comparison with standard samples which closely match the chemical
content of the analyzed material. The calculati
...