ASTM A751-14a
ASTM A751-14a
for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
INTRODUCTION
These test methods, practices, and terminology were prepared to answer the need for a single
document that would include all aspects of obtaining and reporting the chemical analysis of steel,
stainless steel, and related alloys. Such subjects as definitions of terms and product (check) analysis
variations (tolerances) required clarification. Requirements for sampling, meeting specified limits, and
treatment of data usually were not clearly established in product specifications.
It is intended that these test methods, practices, and terminology will contain all requirements for
the determination of chemical composition of steel, stainless steel, or related alloys so that product
specifications will need contain only special modifications and exceptions.
1. Scope* priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 These test methods, practices, and terminology cover bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
definitions, reference methods, practices, and guides relating to
the chemical analysis of steel, stainless steel, and related 2. Referenced Documents
alloys. It includes both wet chemical and instrumental tech- 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
niques. E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
1.2 Directions are provided for handling chemical Determine Conformance with Specifications
requirements, product analyses, residual elements, and refer- E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
ence standards, and for the treatment and reporting of chemical erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
analysis data. Related Materials
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
1.3 These test methods, practices, and terminology apply Materials by Spectrophotometry
only to those product standards which include these test E322 Test Method for Analysis of Low-Alloy Steels and
methods, practices, and terminology, or parts thereof, as a Cast Irons by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence
requirement. Spectrometry
1.4 In cases of conflict, the product specification require- E350 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel,
ments shall take precedence over the requirements of these test Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and
methods, practices, and terminology. Wrought Iron
1.5 Attention is directed to ISO/IEC 17025 when there may E352 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Tool Steels and
be a need for information on criteria for evaluation of testing Other Similar Medium- and High-Alloy Steels
laboratories. E353 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless,
Heat-Resisting, Maraging, and Other Similar Chromium-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the Nickel-Iron Alloys
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the E354 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of High-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Temperature, Electrical, Magnetic, and Other Similar Iron,
Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys
1
These test methods, practices, and terminology are under the jurisdiction of
ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and are the
direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.13 on Mechanical and Chemical Testing
2
and Processing Methods of Steel Products and Processes. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published October 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as A751 – 14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/A0751-14A. the ASTM website.
purity iron TABLE 2 Normal Elements and Ranges for Stainless Steels
E572 x-ray emission spectrometric analysis of stainless steels Using Spark Emission Spectroscopy
flame atomic absorption C 0.004–5.0 V 0.005–2.0
E882 accountability and quality control S 0.0005–0.1 Ti 0.005–2.5
E1019 determination of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen in N2 0.0020–0.3 Co 0.005–4.0
steel and in iron, nickel, and cobalt alloys MN 0.005–15.0 Sn 0.001–0.20
E1085 x-ray emission spectrometric analysis of low alloy steels P 0.001–1.5 W 0.005–3.0
E1086 optical emission vacuum spectrometric analysis of stainless steel Si 0.005–5.0 Pb 0.002–0.05
by the point-to plane excitation technique Cr 0.01–26.0 B 0.0005–0.05
E1097 direct current plasma spectroscopy Ni 0.01–36.0 Ca 0.0002–0.01
E1184 graphite furnace atomic absorption Al 0.001–5.5 Mg 0.001–0.01
E1282 selecting sampling practices and analysis methods Mo 0.005–8.0 Ce 0.001–0.2
E1329 verification and use of control charts Cu 0.005–4.0 Zr 0.001–0.1
E1806 sampling Cb 0.005–3.0 Ta 0.005–0.5
9.2 The following are some of the commonly accepted
techniques employed for routine chemical analysis of steels.
These routine analyses are the basis for the producers’ quality Element Ranges %
control/assurance programs. Proprietary methods are permis- B 0.0002–0.01
Ca 0.0002–0.01
sible provided the results are equivalent to those obtained from Mg 0.0002–0.01
standard methods when applicable. Ce 0.001–0.2
9.2.1 Analysis of stainless steels using x-ray fluorescence Zr 0.001–0.1
Ta 0.005–0.5
spectroscopy (XRF). See Table 1 for normal elements and La 0.001–0.01
ranges for stainless steels.
9.3 There are additional common techniques often used for
9.2.2 Analysis of stainless steels using spark emission
chemical analysis of standards for instrument analysis such as:
spectroscopy (OES). See Table 2 for normal elements and
polarographic analysis, ion exchange separations,
ranges for stainless steels.
radioactivation, and mass spectrometry.
9.2.3 Analysis of solutions using an atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. 10. Reference Materials
9.2.4 Analysis of solutions using an inductively coupled
10.1 For referee analyses, reference standards of a recog-
plasma emission spectrometer.
nized standardizing agency shall be employed with preference
9.2.5 Determination of carbon or sulfur, or both, by com-
given to NIST standard reference materials when applicable.
bustion (in oxygen) and measurement of CO2 or SO2, or both,
(NIST does not produce reference standards suitable for all
by thermal conductivity or infrared detectors.
elements or all alloys.5)
Element Ranges %
C 0.002–5.0
10.1.1 When standard reference materials for certain alloys
S 0.0005–0.1 are not available from NIST, reference materials may be
9.2.6 Determination of nitrogen and oxygen by fusion (in a produced by employing ASTM standard procedures and NIST
helium atmosphere) and measurement of N2 by thermal con- standard reference materials to the extent that such procedures
ductivity and oxygen by measurement of CO by infrared or and reference standards are available. Several independent
thermal conductivity detectors. laboratories should be used for certification of these standards
and their results statistically reviewed and merged.
Element Ranges %
N2 0.0005–0.3 10.1.2 Methods not published by ASTM, such as a defini-
O2 0.0008–0.02 tive analytical method, may be used when the method is
9.2.7 Analysis of solutions using inductively coupled validated by analyzing certified reference materials along with
plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP) or direct plasma emission the candidate reference material. Examples of definitive ana-
spectroscopy (DCP). Normal elements and ranges for stainless lytical methods include gravimetric, coulometry, titrimetric
steels are as follows: based on normality, and mass spectrometry.
10.2 Working reference materials may be used for routine
TABLE 1 Normal Elements and Ranges for Stainless Steels analytical control.
Using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Element Ranges % Element Ranges % 11. Significant Numbers
MN 0.005–15.0 Cu 0.005–4.0 11.1 Laboratories shall report each element to the same
P 0.001–0.15 Cb 0.005–3.0
Si 0.005–5.0 V 0.005–2.0
number of significant numbers as used in the pertinent material
Cr 0.01–26.0 Ti 0.005–2.5 specifications.
Ni 0.01–36.0 Co 0.005–4.0
Al 0.002–5.5 Sn 0.002–0.20
5
Mo 0.005–8.0 W 0.005–3.0 Some sources of reference materials are listed in ASTM Data Series Publication
No. DS2, issued 1963.
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1.1 The requirements embodied in Guide E548, ISO/ X1.3.1 Replication of sampling and testing to improve the
IEC 17025, and Practice E851 provide generic requirements precision of results;
for production of valid chemical-analysis results. X1.3.2 Use of reference materials is crucial to accurate
results;
X1.2 Additional pertinent standards for improving the com-
petency of chemical analysis laboratories are included in X1.3.3 Instrumentation that is appropriate and properly
Guides E743 and E882. maintained; and
X1.3.4 Personnel who are properly trained, ethical chemists
X1.3 Keys to improving validity of chemical analytical or technicians, and who work with properly documented,
results are as follows: current standards.
X2.1 PMI is not a true analysis method comparable to the sorting by material type.
methods described in the body of this standard and, therefore,
is not to be used for reportable analysis of material chemical X2.5 PMI is limited as to the elements reported. Lighter
composition. This appendix is included for reference purposes elements may not be reported or, if reported, may have a large
only and does not allow PMI to be used for the purpose of uncertainty.
analysis where A751 is referenced in other standards. X2.6 The applicable ASTM standard for PMI is Guide
X2.2 PMI typically utilizes portable instruments to deter- E1476. Users are directed to Guide E1476 for additional
mine material type for the purpose of identification and sorting. instruction.
X2.3 PMI can provide accurate non-destructive identifica- X2.7 In addition to Guide E1476, the user should refer to
tion of many material types. the instructions from the manufacturer of the specific instru-
ment to determine the operation, capabilities, and limitations of
X2.4 PMI is intended for material identification and for that instrument.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (A751 – 14)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Oct. 1, 2014.)
(1) Added new Appendix X2. (2) Added Guide E1476 to Section 2.
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (A751 – 11)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved March 1, 2014.)
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