4.1 Crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, additives, and lubricants are routinely analyzed for their elemental content such as chlorine, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and various metals using a variety of analytical techniques. Some of these test methods require little to no sample preparation; some others require only simple dilutions; while others require elaborate sample decomposition before the product is analyzed for its elemental content.

4.2 Fairly often it can be shown that the round robin results by a co-operator are all biased with respect to those from other laboratories. Presumably, the failure to follow good laboratory practices and instructions in the test methods can be a causal factor of such errors. A further consequence is an unnecessarily large reproducibility estimate or the data being dropped from the study as an outlier.

4.3 Uniform practice for sample preparation is beneficial in standardizing the procedures and obtaining consistent results across the laboratories.

1.1 This practice covers different means by which petroleum product and lubricant samples may be prepared before the measurement of their elemental content using different analytical techniques.

1.2 This practice includes only the basic steps for generally encountered sample types. Anything out of the ordinary may require special procedures. See individual test methods for instructions to handle such situations.

1.3 This practice is not a substitute for a thorough understanding of the actual test method to be used, caveats the test method contains, and additional sample preparation that may be required.

1.4 The user should not expand the scope of the test methods to materials or concentrations outside the scope of the test methods being used without thoroughly understanding the implications of such deviations.

1.5 This practice may also be applicable to sample preparation of non-petroleum based bio-fuels for elemental analysis. Currently, work is ongoing in ASTM Subcommittee D02.03; as information becomes available, it will be added to this standard.

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.7 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.

1.8 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.