4.1 These test methods for the chemical analysis of metals and alloys are primarily intended as referee methods to test such materials for compliance with compositional specifications particularly those under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A1 on Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys. It is assumed that all who use these test methods will be trained analysts capable of performing common laboratory procedures skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be performed in a properly equipped laboratory under appropriate quality control practices such as those described in Guide E882.

1.1 These test methods cover the chemical analysis of tool steels and other similar medium- and high-alloy steels having chemical compositions within the following limits:

Element

Composition Range, %

Aluminum

  0.005 to 1.5

Boron

  0.001 to 0.10

Carbon

  0.03  to 2.50

Chromium

  0.10  to 14.0

Cobalt

  0.10  to 14.0

Copper

  0.01  to 2.0

Lead

  0.001 to 0.01

Manganese

  0.10  to 15.00

Molybdenum

  0.01  to 10.00

Nickel

  0.02  to 4.00

Nitrogen

  0.001 to 0.20

Phosphorus

  0.002 to 0.05

Silicon

  0.10  to 2.50

Sulfur

  0.002 to 0.40

Tungsten

  0.01  to 21.00

Vanadium

  0.02  to 5.50

1.2 The test methods in this standard are contained in the sections indicated below:

Sections

Carbon, Total, by the Combustion—
 Thermal Conductivity Method—
 Discontinued 1986

Carbon, Total, by the Combustion Gravimetrical
 Method—Discontinued

Chromium by the Atomic Absorption Method

(0.006 % to 1.00 %)

174

Chromium by the Peroxydisulfate
 Oxidation—Titration Method

  (0.10 % to 14.00 %)

184

Chromium by the Peroxydisulfate-Oxidation
 Titrimetric Method—Discontinued 1980

Cobalt by the Ion-Exchange—
 Potentiometric Titration Method

    (2 % to 14 %) 

 52

Cobalt by the Nitroso-R-Salt
  Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.10 % to 5.0 %) 

 60

Copper by the Neocuproine
  Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.01 % to 2.00 %)

 89

Copper by the Sulfide Precipitation-
 Electrodeposition Gravimetric Method

  (0.01 % to 2.0 %) 

70

Lead by the Ion-Exchange—Atomic
  Absorption Method

(0.001 % to 0.01 %)

 99

Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime
  Gravimetric Method

  (0.1 % to 4.0 %) 

144

Manganese by the Periodate
  Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.10 % to 5.00 %)

  8

Molybdenum by the Ion Exchange–
 8-Hydroxyquinoline Gravimetric Method 

203

Molybdenum by the Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.01 % to 1.50 %)

162

Phosphorus by the Alkalimetric Method

 (0.01 % to 0.05 %)

136

Phosphorus by the Molybdenum Blue
  Spectrophotometric Method

(0.002 % to 0.05 %)

 18

Silicon by the Gravimetric Method

 (0.10 % to 2.50 %)

 45

Sulfur by the Gravimetric
 Method—Discontinued 1988

Sulfur by the Combustion-Iodate
  Titration Method—Discontinued

Sulfur by the Chromatographic
 Gravimetric Method—Discontinued 1980

Tin by the Solvent Extraction—
 Atomic Absorption Method

(0.002 % to 0.10 %)

152

Vanadium by the Atomic
 Absorption Method

(0.006 % to 0.15 %)

193

1.3 Test methods for the determination of carbon and sulfur not included in this standard can be found in Test Methods E1019.

1.4 Some of the composition ranges given in 1.1 are too broad to be covered by a single test method and therefore this standard contains multiple test methods for some elements. The user must select the proper test method by matching the information given in the Scope and Interference sections of each test method with the composition of the alloy to be analyzed.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.6 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 hazards statements are given in Section 6 and in special “Warning” paragraphs throughout these test methods.