ASTM E1621-21

Standard Guide for Elemental Analysis by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 X-ray fluorescence spectrometry can provide an accurate determination of metallic and many non-metallic elements in a wide variety of solid and liquid materials. This guide covers the information that should be included in an X-ray spectrometric analytical method and provides direction to the analyst for determining the optimum conditions needed to achieve acceptable accuracy.  
5.2 The accuracy of a determination is a function of the calibration scheme, the sample preparation, and the sample homogeneity. Close attention to all aspects of these areas is necessary to achieve acceptable results.  
5.3 All concepts discussed in this guide are explored in detail in a number of published texts and in the scientific literature.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides guidelines for developing and describing analytical procedures using a wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometer for elemental analysis of solid metals, ores, and related materials. Material forms discussed herein include solids, powders, and solid forms prepared by chemical and physical processes such as borate fusion and pressing of briquettes.  
1.2 Liquids are not discussed in this guide because they are much less frequently encountered in metals and mining laboratories. However, aqueous liquids can be processed by borate fusion to create solid specimens, and X-ray spectrometers can be equipped to handle liquids directly.  
1.3 Some provisions of this guide may be applicable to the use of an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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: 14-May-2021
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• Technical Committee: E01 - Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Drafting Committee: E01.20 - Fundamental Practices

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: E1621 − 21
Standard Guide for
Elemental Analysis by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray
1
Fluorescence Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1621; 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This guide provides guidelines for developing and
E135Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
describinganalyticalproceduresusingawavelengthdispersive
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
X-rayspectrometerforelementalanalysisofsolidmetals,ores,
E1257Guide for Evaluating Grinding Materials Used for
and related materials. Material forms discussed herein include
Surface Preparation in Spectrochemical Analysis
solids, powders, and solid forms prepared by chemical and
E1329Practice forVerification and Use of Control Charts in
physical processes such as borate fusion and pressing of
3
Spectrochemical Analysis (Withdrawn 2019)
briquettes.
E1361Guide for Correction of Interelement Effects in
1.2 Liquids are not discussed in this guide because they are X-Ray Spectrometric Analysis
much less frequently encountered in metals and mining labo- E2857Guide for Validating Analytical Methods
E2972Guide for Production,Testing, andValueAssignment
ratories. However, aqueous liquids can be processed by borate
fusion to create solid specimens, and X-ray spectrometers can of In-House Reference Materials for Metals, Ores, and
Other Related Materials
be equipped to handle liquids directly.
2.2 ISO Standard:
1.3 Some provisions of this guide may be applicable to the
ISO17034:2016GeneralRequirementsfortheCompetence
use of an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.
of Reference Material Producers
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
3. Terminology
asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
standard.
refer to Terminologies E135 and the terminology section of
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E1361.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Guide
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 Important aspects of test equipment for wavelength
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry are discussed in-
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- cluding equipment components and accessories, reagents, and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- materials.KeyaspectsoftheapplicationofX-rayspectrometry
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the to materials analysis are discussed including interferences and
correction options, specimen preparation by a variety of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
procedures, and materials and accessories for presentation of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
specimens for measurement in spectrometers. Key elements of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
measurement procedures, calibrations procedures, and result
reporting are explained.
4.2 InanX-rayspectrometrictestmethod,thetestspecimen
is prepared with a clean, uniform, flat surface. It may be
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ChemistryforMetals,Ores,andRelatedMaterialsandisthedirectresponsibilityof contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 15, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E1621–13. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/E1621-21. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1621 − 21
prepared by grinding, polishing, or lathing a metal surface or requiresmanymorestandardsthanmoremodernmethods,and
by fusing or briquetting a powder. This surface is irradiated this approach is generally superseded by mathematical meth-
with a primary source of X-rays. The secondary X-rays ods.
produced in the specimen are dispersed according to their 6.2.1 Alternatively, mathematical methods may be used to
wavelengths by means of c
...

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: E1621 − 13 E1621 − 21
Standard Guide for
Elemental Analysis by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray
1
Fluorescence Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1621; 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 guide provides guidelines for developing and describing analytical procedures using a wavelength dispersive X-ray
spectrometer for elemental analysis of solid metals, ores, and related materials. Material forms discussed herein include solids,
powders, and solid forms prepared by chemical and physical processes such as borate fusion and pressing of briquettes.
1.2 Liquids are not discussed in this guide because they are much less frequently encountered in metals and mining laboratories.
However, aqueous liquids can be processed by borate fusion to create solidssolid specimens, and X-ray spectrometers can be
equipped to handle liquids directly.
1.3 Some provisions of this guide may be applicable to the use of an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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
E1257 Guide for Evaluating Grinding Materials Used for Surface Preparation in Spectrochemical Analysis
3
E1329 Practice for Verification and Use of Control Charts in Spectrochemical Analysis (Withdrawn 2019)
E1361 Guide for Correction of Interelement Effects in X-Ray Spectrometric Analysis
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
E2857 Guide for Validating Analytical Methods
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013May 15, 2021. Published November 2013June 2021. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20052013 as
E1621 – 05.E1621 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/E1621-13.10.1520/E1621-21.
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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1621 − 21
E2972 Guide for Production, Testing, and Value Assignment of In-House Reference Materials for Metals, Ores, and Other
Related Materials
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 17034: 2016 General Requirements for the Competence of Reference Material Producers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to Terminologies E135 and the terminology section of E1361.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 Important aspects of test equipment for wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry are discussed including
equipment components and accessories, reagents, and materials. Key aspects of the application of X-ray spectrometry to materials
analysis are discussed including interferences and correction options, specimen preparation by a variety of procedures, and
materials and accessories for presentation of specimens for measurement in spectrometers. Key elements of measurement
procedures, calibrations procedures, and result reporting are explained.
4.2 In an X-ray spect
...