ASTM_E_1306_-_17.pdf

Designation:E130617Standard Practice forPreparation of Metal and Alloy Samples for ChemicalAnalysis by Electric Arc Remelting1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1306;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers the preparation of solid samples ofreactive and refractory metals and alloys by electric arcremelting.The samples for melting may be in the form ofchips,turnings,wires,sponge and powdered metals.1.1.1 This practice is also suitable for preparation of solidsamples of other metals,such as steels,stainless steels,toolsteels,nickel,nickel alloys,cobalt,and cobalt alloys.1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific hazardstatements are given in Section 9.1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry forMetals,Ores,and Related Materials3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in thispractice,refer to Terminology E135.4.Summary of Practice4.1 Various forms are melted into a button approximately114inches in diameter and approximately14inches thick usingan electric arc furnace.The action of the arc creates agitationand mixing of the molten metal which produces a homoge-neous sample.5.Significance and Use5.1 This sampling practice is useful for converting materialtaken from ingots or other solid materials into a homogeneoussolid sample suitable for direct excitation on a spark atomicemission or X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.The resultantbutton may itself be chipped to provide specimens for testmethods requiring solutions or chips.5.2 This practice has been used extensively for the prepa-ration of zirconium,zirconium alloy,titanium,and titaniumalloy materials,and is applicable to other reactive,refractory,ferrous and nonferrous alloys,such as cobalt,cobalt alloys,niobium,nickel,nickel alloys,steels,stainless steels,tantalum,tool steels,and tungsten.6.Interferences6.1 The user should carefully consider the impact of usingremelted samples for analysis as remelted samples may besubject to selective volatilization or segregation of any ele-ments.Elements known to volatilize are bismuth,cadmium,chlorine,lead,magnesium,sodium,tellurium,thallium,uranium,and zinc.Other elements that may change in contentare the interstitial gases,oxygen,nitrogen,and hydrogen,pluscarbon,which may be added if a graphite anode is used.Atungsten anode may be substituted if carbon pickup is aconcern.Tungsten contamination may occur if this electrode isused.Copper contamination also may be introduced from themelting crucible.7.Apparatus7.1 Electric Arc Remit FurnaceThis section describes thevarious components of an electric arc remelt furnace.Refer toFig.1 to see how each component is arranged.The numberassigned to each component in the following descriptioncorresponds to the number in the schematic.7.1.1 Water-Cooled Upper Housing(1),approximately 6inches in diameter and 614inches in height,and having asmooth,flat sealing surface.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on AnalyticalChemistry for Metals,Ores,and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.Current edition approved May 15,2017.Published June 2017.Originallyapproved in 1989.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E1306 11.DOI:10.1520/E1306-17.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 7.1.2 Rubber Boot(2),shall cover the anode manipulatorassembly to prevent electrical shock.7.1.3 The top of the housing shall be fabricated from anelectrical and thermal insulating material,such as Bakelit