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 A01 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

125–135

Carbon, Total, by the Combustion Gravimetric
 Method—Discontinued 2012

78–88

Chromium by the Atomic Absorption
 Spectrometry Method

(0.006 % to 1.00 %)

174–183

Chromium by the Peroxydisulfate
 Oxidation—Titration Method

  (0.10 % to 14.00 %)

184–192

Chromium by the Peroxydisulfate-Oxidation
 Titrimetric Method—Discontinued 1980

117–124

Cobalt by the Ion-Exchange—
 Potentiometric Titration Method

    (2 % to 14 %) 

52–59

Cobalt by the Nitroso-R-Salt
  Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.10 % to 5.0 %) 

60–69

Copper by the Neocuproine
  Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.01 % to 2.00 %)

89–98

Copper by the Sulfide Precipitation-
 Electrodeposition Gravimetric Method

  (0.01 % to 2.0 %) 

70–77

Lead by the Ion-Exchange—Atomic
  Absorption Spectrometry Method

(0.001 % to 0.01 %)

99–108

Manganese by the Periodate
  Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.10 % to 5.00 %)

9–18

Molybdenum by the Ion Exchange–
 8-Hydroxyquinoline Gravimetric Method 

203–210

Molybdenum by the Thiocyanate Spectrophotometric Method

 (0.01 % to 1.50 %)

162–173

Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime
 Gravimetric Method

(0.1 % to 4.0 %)

144–151

Phosphorus by the Alkalimetric Method

 (0.01 % to 0.05 %)

136–143

Phosphorus by the Molybdenum Blue
  Spectrophotometric Method

(0.002 % to 0.05 %)

19–29

Silicon by the Gravimetric Method

 (0.10 % to 2.50 %)

45–51

Sulfur by the Gravimetric
 Method—Discontinued 1988

29–35

Sulfur by the Combustion-Iodate
  Titration Method—Discontinued 2012

36–44

Sulfur by the Chromatographic
 Gravimetric Method—Discontinued 1980

109–116

Tin by the Solvent Extraction—
 Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Method

(0.002 % to 0.10 %)

152–161

Vanadium by the Atomic
 Absorption Spectrometry Method

(0.006 % to 0.15 %)

193–202

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, health, and environmental 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.

1.7 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.