ASTM A610-79(2019)

Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Ferroalloys for Determination of Size

ABSTRACT
This specification covers standard methods for sampling and testing of various ferroalloys for size analysis. Ferroalloys are classified into lump and crushed or plates sizes. The small-sized samples subject to screen testing shall be taken from the lot sample by riffling, and larger sized samples by mixing and quartering. Sizing of lumps shall be done by visual examination. Crushed or plates materials shall be subjected to sieving by using either manually driven or mechanically driven screen vibrators to divide samples into several size fractions.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the sampling and testing of the various ferroalloys for sizing, either before or after shipment from the plants of the manufacturers.  
1.2 They are designed to give results representative of each lot that will be comparable with the manufacturer's certified analysis for the same lot.  
1.3 The purchaser may use any sampling procedure he desires, but the results obtained on such samples shall not be a basis for complaint or rejection, unless the procedure followed is of an accuracy equivalent to that prescribed in these test methods.  
1.4 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.  
1.4.1 Exception—The SI units that correspond to mesh sizes in Table 1 are to be regarded as 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: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2019
• ICS: 77.100 - Ferroalloys
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.18 - Castings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A610-79(2014) - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Ferroalloys for Determination of Size
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM E32-86(2006)e1 - Standard Practices for Sampling Ferroalloys and Steel Additives for Determination of Chemical Composition (Withdrawn 2015)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E32-86(2006) - Standard Practices for Sampling Ferroalloys and Steel Additives for Determination of Chemical Composition
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E11-04 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM E11-01 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM E11-95 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM E32-86(2001) - Standard Practices for Sampling Ferroalloys and Steel Additives for Determination of Chemical Composition
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Refers: ASTM E32-86(1996)e1 - Standard Practices for Sampling Ferroalloys and Steel Additives for Determination of Chemical Composition
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM A835/A835M-10(2020) - Standard Specification for Sizes of Ferroalloys and Alloy Additives
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Referred By: ASTM A1025/A1025M-10(2020) - Standard Specification for Ferroalloys and Other Alloying Materials, General Requirements
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019

Overview

ASTM A610-79(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Ferroalloys for Determination of Size establishes consistent procedures for sampling and testing various ferroalloy materials for particle size analysis. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is widely recognized for ensuring uniformity, accuracy, and reliability when determining the physical size distribution of ferroalloys classified as either "lump" or "crushed/plate" materials. The methods apply to materials both prior to and after shipment from manufacturing plants, with procedures designed to produce results comparable to manufacturer’s certified analyses.

Key Topics

• Ferroalloy Sampling Techniques

  • Sampling of small-sized materials is typically performed by riffling, while larger-sized materials are sampled by mixing and quartering to ensure a representative sample.
  • Selection of sample increments is critical to achieving reliable size analysis, with recommendations for minimum batch sizes based on material category.

• Size Classification and Sieve Analysis

  • Materials are classified into "lump" (coarser than 4 in. top size) and "crushed/plates" (upper limit of 4 in. or less).
  • Lump size evaluation is generally done by visual examination, while finer materials are analyzed using manual or mechanical sieving based on ASTM E11-compliant test sieves.
  • Sieve nestings allow for division of samples into multiple size fractions to determine particle size distribution accurately.

• Testing Protocols

  • All samples must be dry before testing; a loss of 0.25% in weight at 230°F (110°C) is used as a drying criterion.
  • For accurate and consistent size analysis, detailed procedures are outlined for handling, sieving time, and criteria for completion of testing.
  • Results must be representative and directly comparable with manufacturer’s certified analyses for each shipment or lot.

• Units of Measurement

  • Standard units are inch-pound; SI units are provided for reference, with SI mesh sizes for sieves regarded as standard.

Applications

The ASTM A610-79(2019) standard is essential for industries and laboratories engaged in the production, quality control, and purchasing of ferroalloys, such as ferrosilicon and other steel additives. Key practical applications include:

• Quality Control and Purchasing

  • Ensures that both suppliers and purchasers have a common, reliable method for verifying the size distribution of ferroalloy shipments, reducing disputes and facilitating commerce.

• Lot and Shipment Analysis

  • Used as a basis for dividing large shipments into manageable lots for sampling and testing, ensuring results are representative of the full batch.

• Laboratory Testing

  • Provides standard procedures for material preparation, weighing, visual inspection, and sieving operations, increasing reliability and reproducibility of test results.

• Regulatory Compliance

  • Supports traceability and certification requirements in global supply chains.
  • Assists users in meeting safety, health, and environmental regulations by promoting proper sample handling practices.

Related Standards

Organizations utilizing ASTM A610-79(2019) may also reference the following ASTM standards for integrated materials testing and analysis:

• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves - defines the requirements for sieves used in particle size analysis.
• ASTM E32: Practices for Sampling Ferroalloys and Steel Additives for Determination of Chemical Composition - outlines best practices for collecting samples for chemical analysis.

By adhering to ASTM A610-79(2019), industries ensure accurate, repeatable ferroalloy size analyses, facilitating fair trade, quality assurance, and compliance in metallurgical operations.

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: A610 − 79 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Methods for
Sampling and Testing Ferroalloys for Determination of Size
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A610; 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the sampling
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
and testing of the various ferroalloys for sizing, either before or
Sieves
after shipment from the plants of the manufacturers.
E32 Practices for Sampling Ferroalloys and Steel Additives
1.2 They are designed to give results representative of each
for Determination of Chemical Composition
lot that will be comparable with the manufacturer’s certified
analysis for the same lot.
3. Unit Quantities for Sampling and Testing
1.3 The purchaser may use any sampling procedure he
3.1 Each shipment, except as otherwise agreed upon by the
desires, but the results obtained on such samples shall not be a
purchaser and the manufacturer, shall constitute a unit for
basis for complaint or rejection, unless the procedure followed
sampling and testing. It is recommended that shipments of any
is of an accuracy equivalent to that prescribed in these test
alloy exceeding 100 tons (91 000 kg) be divided into smaller
methods.
lots for sampling according to some plan best adapted to the
material and conditions, such as each cast, each carload, each
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
ladleful or each binful. The division of samples should be in
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
accordance with Practices E32.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
4. Sampling for Size Analysis
1.4.1 Exception—The SI units that correspond to mesh sizes
4.1 Lumps—Conformance of lump material to sizing stan-
in Table 1 are to be regarded as standard.
dards normally shall be judged by visual examination. The
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
inspection judgment shall be made on an increment selected at
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
random. Unless otherwise required, the increment shall be the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
contents of a unit container of 2000 lb (910 kg) minimum
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
quantity. When more precise data are required for checking on
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the visual examination, a sizing test shall be made on material
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
from a unit container (usually 2000 to 3000 lb (910 to 1360 kg)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of alloy) selected at random.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 Crushed or Plates—Sampling for conformance of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
crushed or plates material to size requirements shall be in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
accordance with Practices E32 or by alternative methods which
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
are demonstrated to yield equivalent results. A representative
portion of the lot sample (before any reduction in particle size)
shallbeobtainedforscreentesting.Ifnecessary,thepercentage
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on
Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee A01.18 on Castings. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as A610 – 79 (2014). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/A0610-79R19. the ASTM website.
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A610 − 79 (2019)
TABLE 1 Amount of Material Required for Testing
maximum permitted by these test methods. Determine the
Upper Limit of Size Category, in. (mm) Amount for Testing amount of undersize by accumulating all pieces from the
Larger than 2 in. (50.8 mm) 200 lb (91 kg) (min) original container
...