5.1 This test method for the chemical analysis of nickel alloys is primarily intended to test material for compliance with compositional specifications such as those under jurisdiction of ASTM committee B02. It may also be used to test compliance with other specifications that are compatible with the test method.

5.2 It is assumed that all who use this method will be trained analysts capable of performing common laboratory procedures skillfully and safely, and that the work will be performed in a properly equipped laboratory.

5.3 It is expected that laboratories using this method will prepare their own work instructions. These work instructions will include detailed operating instructions for the specific laboratory including information such as applicable analytical methods, drift correction (standardization) protocols, verifiers, and performance acceptance criteria.

1.1 This method describes the spark atomic emission spectrometric (Spark-AES) analysis of nickel alloys, such as those specified by committee B02, having chemical compositions within the following limits:

Element

Application Range (Mass Fraction, %)

Aluminum

0.005-6.00

Boron

0.001-0.10

Carbon

0.005-0.15

Chromium

0.01-33.00

Copper

0.01-35.00

Cobalt

0.01-25.00

Iron

0.05-55.00

Magnesium

0.001-0.020

Manganese

0.01-1.00

Molybdenum

0.01-35.00

Niobium

0.01-6.0

Nickel

25.00-100.0

Phosphorous

0.001-0.025

Silicon

0.01-1.50

Sulfur

0.0001-0.01

Titanium

0.0001-6.0

Tantalum

0.01-0.15

Tin

0.001-0.020

Tungsten

0.01-5.0

Vanadium

0.0005-1.0

Zirconium

0.01-0.10

1.2 The following elements may be determined using this method.

Element

Quantification Range (Mass Fraction, %)

Aluminum

0.010-1.50

Boron

0.004-0.025

Carbon

0.014-0.15

Chromium

0.09-20.0

Cobalt

0.05-14.00

Copper

0.03-0.6

Iron

0.17-20

Magnesium

0.001-0.03

Manganese

0.04-0.6

Molybdenum

0.07-5.0

Niobium

0.02-5.5

Phosphorous

0.005-0.020

Silicon

0.07-0.6

Sulfur

0.002-0.005

Tantalum

0.025-0.15

Tin

0.001-0.02

Titanium

0.025-3.2

Tungsten

0.02-0.10

Vanadium

0.005-0.25

Zirconium

0.01-0.05

1.3 This method has been interlaboratory tested for the elements and quantification ranges specified in section 1.2. The ranges in section 1.2 indicate intervals within which results have been demonstrated to be quantitative. It may be possible to extend this method to other elements or different composition ranges provided that a method validation study as described in Guide E2857 is performed and that the results of this study show that the method extension is meeting laboratory data quality objectives. Supplemental data on other elements not included in the scope are found in the supplemental data tables of the Precision and Bias section.

1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific safety hazard statements are given in Section 9.