5.1 Accurate elemental analysis of petroleum products and lubricants is necessary for the determination of chemical properties, which are used to establish compliance with commercial and regulatory specifications.

5.2 Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) is one of the most widely used analytical techniques in the oil industry for elemental analysis. There are at least twelve Standard Test Methods published by ASTM D02 Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants for such analysis. See Table 1.

5.3 The advantage of using an AAS analysis include good sensitivity for most metals, relative freedom from interferences, and ability to calibrate the instrument based on elemental standards irrespective of their elemental chemical forms. Thus, the technique has been a method of choice in most of the oil industry laboratories. In many laboratories, AAS has been superseded by a superior ICP-AES technique (see Practice D7260).

5.4 Some of the ASTM AAS Standard Test Methods have also been issued by other standard writing bodies as technically equivalent standards. See Table 2.

1.1 This practice covers information on the calibration and operational guidance for elemental measurements using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

1.1.1 AAS Related Standards—Test Methods D1318, D3237, D3340, D3605, D3831, D4628, D5056, D5184, D5863, D6732; Practices D7260 and D7455; and Test Methods D7622 and D7623.

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

1.3 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.

1.4 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.