ASTM D5671-95(2011)

Standard Practice for Polishing and Etching Coal Samples for Microscopical Analysis by Reflected Light

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Components observable in surfaces of coal samples prepared in accordance with the laboratory procedures of this practice will have differential relief that will aid in their maceral identification by visual classification and enables identification of plant parts or tissues that formed the coal.
Samples prepared by this practice can be used for microscopical determination of the volume percent of physical components of coal in accordance with Test Method D2799.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers laboratory procedures for preparing an etched, polished surface of granular and block samples of coal for examination with a microscope using reflected light illumination.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2011
• ICS: 73.040 - Coals
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke
• Drafting Committee: D05.28 - Petrographic Analysis of Coal and Coke

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D5671 −95 (Reapproved 2011)
Standard Practice for
Polishing and Etching Coal Samples for Microscopical
1
Analysis by Reflected Light
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5671; 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 4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Asubsplit of a representative sample obtained in accor-
1.1 This practice covers laboratory procedures for preparing
dance with Practice D4596 and prepared in accordance with
an etched, polished surface of granular and block samples of
Practice D2797 or a block of coal obtained in accordance with
coal for examination with a microscope using reflected light
Practice D5192 is polished to a flat, scratch-free surface, the
illumination.
reflectance of vitrinite is determined on a subsplit in accor-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
dance with Test Method D2798, and then other subsplits are
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
chemically etched using an acidified potassium permanganate
standard.
solution.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5.1 Components observable in surfaces of coal samples
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- prepared in accordance with the laboratory procedures of this
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. practice will have differential relief that will aid in their
maceral identification by visual classification and enables
2. Referenced Documents identification of plant parts or tissues that formed the coal.
2
5.2 Samples prepared by this practice can be used for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
microscopical determination of the volume percent of physical
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
components of coal in accordance with Test Method D2799.
D2797 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Microscopi-
cal Analysis by Reflected Light
6. Apparatus
D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the
6.1 Ultrasonic Cleaner—large enough for sample holder
Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
and sample preparations to be immersed in cleaning solution.
D2799 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the
Maceral Composition of Coal
6.2 Beakers—glass beakers, 50, 100, and 500 ml capacity,
D4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
one each for each etching setup.
in a Mine
6.3 Stirring Rods—glass, approximately 20 cm long.
D5192 Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
6.4 Hot Plate—electric or gas-heated with capability for
temperature control and rotating stirring magnets.
3. Terminology
6.5 Watch Glasses—glass, 100–200 mm in diameter de-
3.1 Terminology used in this standard can be found in
pending on size of specimen blocks to be etched.
Terminology D121.
6.6 Graduated Cylinders—glass, 25 and 100 ml.
6.7 Grinding and Polishing Equipment—one or several laps
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and on which the coal briquets or blocks can be ground and
Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.28 on Petrographic
polished to a flat, scratch-free surface. Laps may be made of
Analysis of Coal and Coke.
aluminum, iron, brass, or bronze.
Current edition approved April 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D5671 - 95(2005).
7. Reagents
DOI: 10.1520/D5671-95R11.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5671−95 (2011)
TABLE 1 Suggested Plans for Grinding and Polishing of Briquets
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where
3 and Blocks
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used,
Grinding with Silicon Carbide Paper Polishing
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently Plan
No.
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 1 Stage 2
highpuritytopermititsusewithoutlesseningthequalityofthe
1 45µ m 22 µm 15 µm 1 µm Alumina 0.06 µm
etch.
(240 grit) (400 grit) (600
...