ASTM E1335-03
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Determination of Gold in Bullion by Cupellation
Standard Test Methods for Determination of Gold in Bullion by Cupellation
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover cupellation analysis of bullion having chemical compositions within the following limits:ElementConcentration Range, %Gold 0.5 to 4.0 and 20.0 to 99.0Silver 1.0 to 99.5Total gold plus silver75.0 to 100.0
1.2 These test methods appear in the following order: Sections20.0-99.0 % gold0.5-4.0 % gold98.9-99.8 % gold
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. For specific safety hazards, see Section 8.
General Information
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E 1335 – 03
Standard Test Methods for
1
Determination of Gold in Bullion by Cupellation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1335; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E 1763 Guide for Interpretation and Use of Results from
4
Interlaboratory Testing of Chemical Analysis Methods
1.1 These test methods cover cupellation analysis of bullion
having chemical compositions within the following limits:
3. Terminology
Element Concentration Range, %
3.1 Definitions:
Gold 0.5 to 4.0 and 20.0 to 99.0
3.1.1 annealing—a thermal treatment to change the proper-
Silver 1.0 to 99.5
ties or grain structure of the product.
Total gold plus silver 75.0 to 100.0
3.1.2 cupel—a small, shallow, porous cup, usually made of
1.2 These test methods appear in the following order:
bone ash or magnesite.
Sections
3.1.3 cupellation—an oxidizing fusion of lead, sample base
metals and gold, and silver in a cupel. The lead is oxidized to
20.0–99.0 % gold 10-16
litharge (PbO); other base metals which may be present, such
0.5–4.0 % gold 17-21
98.9–99.8 % gold 22-28
as copper and tin, are oxidized as well. The oxidized metals are
absorbed into the cupel, leaving a gold and silver doré bead on
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the cupel surface.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.4 doré bead—a gold and silver alloy bead which results
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
from cupellation.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.5 inquartation—the addition of silver to an assay
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific safety
sample to facilitate parting.
hazards, see Section 8.
3.1.6 parting—separating silver from gold by selectively
2. Referenced Documents
dissolving the silver in acid, usually nitric acid.
3.1.7 proof—a synthetic standard having a composition
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
similar to the test sample.
B 562 Specification for Refined Gold
3.1.8 proof correction—analyzing the proof concurrently
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
3
with the test sample and using the results to correct the final
Determine Conformance with Specifications
assay.
E 50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Precau-
4
3.1.9 For definitions of other terms, refer to Terminology
tions for Chemical Analysis of Metals
E 135.
E 135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
4
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
4. Significance and Use
E 173 Practice for Conducting Interlaboratory Studies of
5
4.1 These test methods are intended for the determination of
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals
the gold content of gold and silver bullion. It is assumed that all
E 882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the
4
who use these test methods are trained assayers capable of
Chemical Analysis Laboratory
performing common fire assay procedures skillfully and safely.
E 1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
4
It is expected that work will be performed in a properly
Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
equipped laboratory.
1
5. Interferences
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and are the direct
5.1 If the bullion contains any of the following elements in
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.03 on Precious Metals.
excess of the concentrations shown, the accuracy and precision
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published December 2003. Originally
published as E 1335 – 90. Last previous edition E 1335 – 946 (2001). requirements of these test methods may not be achieved.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.04.
Element Maximum Level, %
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
Arsenic 2.0
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1335–03
9.3.2 Cut the strip into horizontal slices to obtain the desired
Antimony 2.0
Bismuth 2.0
sample weight.
Iron 2.0
9.4 Drillings are not usually representative of a melt. If bar
Nickel 2.0
drillings are to be analyzed, obtain them as directed in
Platinum group, total (Ir, Os, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru) 0.01
Selenium 2.0
Specification B 562.
Tellurium 2.0
Thallium 2.0
TEST METHOD A
Tungsten 0.5
Zinc 5.0
10. Scope
6. Apparatus
10.1 This test method covers cupellation analysis of gold in
6.1 Assay Furna
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.