ASTM B561-23

Standard Specification for Refined  Platinum

ABSTRACT
This specification covers refined platinum as sponge, cast bar, and wrought forms in two grades as follows: Grade 99.95 and Grade 99.99. The refined platinum shall conform to the required chemical composition for platinum, rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, iridium, gold, silver, lead, tin, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, silicon, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, nickel, chromium, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, tellurium, cadmium, and molybdenum. The metal may be produced by refining process that yields a product capable of meeting the chemical requirements of this specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers refined platinum as sponge, cast bar, and wrought forms (Note 1) in two grades as follows:  
1.1.1 Grade 99.95 (UNS PO4995)—Platinum having a purity of 99.95 %, min, and  
1.1.2 Grade 99.99—Platinum having a purity of 99.99 % min.  
Note 1: Other forms of unfabricated platinum 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 off 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-Mar-2023
• 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

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: B561 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Refined Platinum
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B561; 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 specification covers refined platinum as sponge,
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
cast bar, and wrought forms (Note 1) in two grades as follows:
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.1.1 Grade 99.95 (UNS PO4995)—Platinum having a pu-
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their
rity of 99.95 %, min, and
Use
1.1.2 Grade 99.99—Platinum having a purity of 99.99 %
B899 Terminology Relating to Non-ferrous Metals and Al-
min.
loys
NOTE 1—Other forms of unfabricated platinum of commerce are not to
be excluded under this specification.
3. Terminology
NOTE 2—For the purposes of determining conformance with this
3.1 For definitions of the terms pertaining to this standard,
specification, an observed value obtained from analysis shall be rounded
reference shall be made to Terminology B542 and B899.
to the nearest unit in the last right hand place of figures used in expressing
the limiting value, in accordance with the rounding off method of Practice
E29.
4. Materials and Manufacture
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
4.1 The metal may be produced by any refining process that
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
yields a product capable of meeting the chemical requirements
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
of this specification. The purchaser, upon request, shall be
and are not considered standard.
informed of the refining process used.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 The surfaces of bars and wrought forms shall exhibit
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
quality generally acceptable to the trade.
responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate
5. Chemical Composition
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided
5.1 The refined platinum shall conform to the chemical
by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health,
composition prescribed in Table 1.
and environmental practices, and determine the applicability
of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Sampling
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
6.1 The value of this material is such that special attention
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
must be paid to sampling procedures. The purchaser and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
manufacturer shall agree upon the sampling procedures used.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6.2 Lot Size—Sampling lots shall consist of the following:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6.2.1 Sponge—A single refining lot, and
6.2.2 Other Forms—A single melt or primary consolidation.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
B02.05 on Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as B561 – 94 (2018). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/B0561-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B561 − 23
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
8. Rejection and Rehearing
Composition, %
8.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of this
A
Element
Grade 99.95 Grade
specification may be rejected. Rejection should be reported to
(UNS PO4995) 99.99
the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of
Platinum, min (by difference) 99.95 99.99
Rhodium, max 0.03 0.005
dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer or
Palladium, max 0.02 0.005
supplier may make claim for rehearing.
Ruthenium, max 0.01 0.002
Iridium, max 0.015 0
...

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: B561 − 94 (Reapproved 2018) B561 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Refined Platinum
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B561; 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 specification covers refined platinum as sponge, cast bar, and wrought forms (Note 1) in two grades as follows:
1.1.1 Grade 99.95 (UNS PO4995)—Platinum having a purity of 99.95 %, min, and
1.1.2 Grade 99.99—Platinum having a purity of 99.99 % min.
NOTE 1—Other forms of unfabricated platinum 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 off 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their Use
B899 Terminology Relating to Non-ferrous Metals and Alloys
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of the terms pertaining to this standard, reference shall be made to Terminology B542 and B899.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B02.05 on
Precious Metals and Electrical Contact Materials and Test Methods.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018April 1, 2023. Published November 2018May 2023. Originally approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 20122018 as
B561 – 94 (2012).(2018). DOI: 10.1520/B0561-94R18.10.1520/B0561-23.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B561 − 23
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 The metal may be produced by any refining process that yields a product capable of meeting the chemical requirements of this
specification. The purchaser, upon request, shall be informed of the refining process used.
4.2 The surfaces of bars and wrought forms shall exhibit quality generally acceptable to the trade.
5. Chemical Composition
5.1 The refined platinum shall conform to the chemical composition prescribed in Table 1.
6. Sampling
6.1 The value of this material is such that special attention must be paid to sampling procedures. The purchaser and manufacturer
shall agree upon the sampling procedures used.
6.2 Lot Size—Sampling lots shall consist of the following:
6.2.1 Sponge—A single refining lot, and
6.2.2 Other Forms—A single melt or primary consolidation.
7. Methods of Analysis
7.1 Pending the development of standard ASTM methods of chemical or spectrographic analysis, or both, the methods to be used
shall be a matter of agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Composition, %
A
Element
Grade 99.95 Grade
(UNS PO4995) 99.99
Platinum, min (by difference) 99.
...