ASTM E542-01(2021)

Standard Practice for Calibration of Laboratory Volumetric Apparatus

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The primary purpose of this practice is to provide uniform procedures that may be used to accurately calibrate a wide variety of volumetric ware. The techniques are simple in concept and can provide reliable results, provided the procedures are followed faithfully. Accordingly, the practice should provide a means for checking the original calibration of glassware and similar apparatus and for periodic rechecks as the need should arise.  
4.2 Borosilicate volumetric glassware will hold its calibration indefinitely provided that it is not exposed to hydrofluoric acid, hot phosphoric acid, or strong, hot alkalis, and that it is not heated above 150 °C when dry. A frosting of the glass surface (viewed when dry) indicates that chemical attack has occured, and recalibration may be in order. As a precaution, however, it is recommended that the glassware be recalibrated after ten years of service regardless of its appearance.  
4.3 Soda-lime volumetric glassware will become frosted with time because of attack from moisture in the atmosphere as well as from the chemicals mentioned above. In addition, it should not be heated above 90 °C when dry. It is recommended, therefore, that it be recalibrated after five years of service unless frosting (viewed when dry) is observed sooner.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for use in the calibration of volumetric ware, in accordance with Specification E694 such as is in common use in chemical and clinical laboratories. It is based on the gravimetric determination of the quantity of water either contained or delivered, and the conversion of this value to true volume at the standard temperature of 20 °C by means of suitable equations and standard tables. Calibration using mercury is excluded. Calibration may be performed using alternative gravimetric methodology, provided that it is demonstrated and documented that the results obtained are equivalent to those obtained using the methodology described herein.  
1.2 This practice is intended to encompass capacity ware between the limits of 0.1 cm3 and 2000 cm3. Typical products falling within the purview of this practice are burets graduated “to deliver”, graduated cylinders, volumetric flasks, specific gravity flasks, measuring and dilution pipets, and transfer and capacity pipets.  
1.3 The procedures are not recommended for calibration of apparatus with capacities below 0.1 cm3, such as microglassware.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2020
• ICS: 17.060 - Measurement of volume, mass, density, viscosity
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.01 - Laboratory Ware and Supplies

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: E542 − 01 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Practice for
1
Calibration of Laboratory Volumetric Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E542; 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.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 Thispracticecoversproceduresforuseinthecalibration 2.1 ASTM Standards:
of volumetric ware, in accordance with Specification E694 E694Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Appa-
suchasisincommonuseinchemicalandclinicallaboratories. ratus
It is based on the gravimetric determination of the quantity of
3. Summary of Practice
water either contained or delivered, and the conversion of this
3.1 This practice is based upon a determination of the
value to true volume at the standard temperature of 20°C by
volume of water either contained in or delivered by the vessel.
means of suitable equations and standard tables. Calibration
Procedures are given for cleaning, setting the meniscus,
using mercury is excluded. Calibration may be performed
manipulating the apparatus, weighing, and converting the
using alternative gravimetric methodology, provided that it is
weight to the appropriate standard volume.
demonstrated and documented that the results obtained are
equivalent to those obtained using the methodology described
4. Significance and Use
herein.
4.1 The primary purpose of this practice is to provide
1.2 This practice is intended to encompass capacity ware
uniform procedures that may be used to accurately calibrate a
3 3
between the limits of 0.1 cm and 2000 cm . Typical products
wide variety of volumetric ware. The techniques are simple in
falling within the purview of this practice are burets graduated
concept and can provide reliable results, provided the proce-
“to deliver”, graduated cylinders, volumetric flasks, specific
dures are followed faithfully.Accordingly, the practice should
gravity flasks, measuring and dilution pipets, and transfer and
provide a means for checking the original calibration of
capacity pipets.
glassware and similar apparatus and for periodic rechecks as
1.3 The procedures are not recommended for calibration of
the need should arise.
3
apparatus with capacities below 0.1 cm , such as microglass-
4.2 Borosilicate volumetric glassware will hold its calibra-
ware.
tion indefinitely provided that it is not exposed to hydrofluoric
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
acid, hot phosphoric acid, or strong, hot alkalis, and that it is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
not heated above 150°C when dry. A frosting of the glass
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surface (viewed when dry) indicates that chemical attack has
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
occured, and recalibration may be in order. As a precaution,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
however, it is recommended that the glassware be recalibrated
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
after ten years of service regardless of its appearance.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.3 Soda-lime volumetric glassware will become frosted
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
withtimebecauseofattackfrommoistureintheatmosphereas
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
well as from the chemicals mentioned above. In addition, it
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
should not be heated above 90 °C when dry. It is
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
recommended, therefore, that it be recalibrated after five years
of service unless frosting (viewed when dry) is observed
sooner.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E41 on Laboratory
Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on Laboratory
2
Ware and Supplies. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approvedin1979.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2012asE542–01(2012).DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0542-01R21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E542 − 01 (2021)
5. Units of Measurement 7.2.2 After cleaning, the vessel should be rinsed with ethyl
alcohol and dried with clean air at
...

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: E542 − 01 (Reapproved 2012) E542 − 01 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Practice for
1
Calibration of Laboratory Volumetric Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E542; 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 practice covers procedures for use in the calibration of volumetric ware, in accordance with Specification E694 such as
is in common use in chemical and clinical laboratories. It is based on the gravimetric determination of the quantity of water either
contained or delivered, and the conversion of this value to true volume at the standard temperature of 20°C20 °C by means of
suitable equations and standard tables. Calibration using mercury is excluded. Calibration may be performed using alternative
gravimetric methodology, provided that it is demonstrated and documented that the results obtained are equivalent to those
obtained using the methodology described herein.
3 3
1.2 This practice is intended to encompass capacity ware between the limits of 0.1 cm and 2000 cm . Typical products falling
within the purview of this practice are burets graduated“ tograduated “to deliver”, graduated cylinders, volumetric flasks, specific
gravity flasks, measuring and dilution pipets, and transfer and capacity pipets.
3
1.3 The procedures are not recommended for calibration of apparatus with capacities below 0.1 cm , such as microglassware.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
E694 Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Apparatus
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 This practice is based upon a determination of the volume of water either contained in or delivered by the vessel. Procedures
are given for cleaning, setting the meniscus, manipulating the apparatus, weighing, and converting the weight to the appropriate
standard volume.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on ApparatusLaboratory
Ware and Supplies.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012Jan. 1, 2021. Published November 2012 February 2021. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 20072012
as E542 – 01(2007).(2012). DOI: 10.1520/E0542-01R12.10.1520/E0542-01R21.
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 ----------------------
E542 − 01 (2021)
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The primary purpose of this practice is to provide uniform procedures that may be used to accurately calibrate a wide variety
of volumetric ware. The techniques are simple in concept and can provide reliable results, provided the procedures are followed
faithfully. Accordingly, the practice should provide a means for checking the original calibration of glassware and similar apparatus
and for periodic rechecks as the need should arise.
4.2 Borosilicate volumetric glassware will hold its calibration indefinitely provided that it is not exposed to hydrofluoric acid, hot
phosphoric acid, or strong, hot alkalis, and that it is not heated above 150°C150 °C when dry. A frosting of the glass surface
(viewed when dry) indicates that chemical attack has occured, and recalibration may be in order. As a precaution, however, it is
recommended that the glassware be recalibrated after ten years of service regardless of its appearance.
4.3 Soda-lime volumetric glassware wi
...