SPECIFICATION FOR TEST METHODS,PRACTICES, AND TERMINOLOGY FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OFSTEEL PRODUCTSSA-751(Identical with ASTM Specification A751-95.)1.Scope1.1This standard covers definitions,reference meth-ods,practices,and guides relating to the chemicalanalysis of steel,stainless steel,an related alloys.Itincludes both wet chemical and instrumental techniques.1.2Directions are provided for handling chemicalrequirements,product analyses,residual elements,andreference standards,and for the treatment and reportingof chemical analysis data.1.3This standard applies only to those productstandards which include this standard or parts thereofas a requirements.1.4In cases of conflict,the product specificationrequirements shall take precedence over the require-ments of this standard.1.5Attention is directed to Practice A880whenthere may be a need for information on criteria forevaluation of testing laboratories.1.6This standard does not purport to address thesafety problems associated with its use.It is the respon-sibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine theapplicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1ASTM Standards:A880Practice for Criteria for Use in Evaluation ofTesting Laboratories and Organizations for the Exami-1295nation and Inspection of Steel,Stainless Steel,andRelated AlloysE29Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Datato Determine Conformance With SpecificationE30Methods for Chemical Analysis of Steel,Cast IronOpen-Hearth Iron,and Wrought IronE50Practice for Apparatus,Reagents,and Safety Precau-tions for Chemical Analysis of MetalsE59Practice for Sampling Steel and Iron for Determina-tion of Chemical CompositionE60Practice for Photometric and SpectrophotometricMethods for Chemical Analysis of MetalsE212Test Method for Spectrographic Analysis of Carbonand Low-Alloy Steel by the Rod-to-Rod TechniqueE322Test Method for X-Ray Emission SpectrometricAnalysis of Low-Alloy Steels and Cast IronsE327Test Method for Optical Emission SpectrometricAnalysis of Stainless Type18-8Steels by the Point-to-Plane TechniqueE350Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of CarbonSteel,Low-Alloy Steel,Silicon Electrical Steel,IngotIron,and Wrought IronE352Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Tool Steelsand Other Similar Medium-and High-Alloy SteelsE353Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless,Heat-Resisting,Maraging,and Other Similar Chro-mium-Nickel-Iron AlloysE354Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of High-Temperature,Electrical,Magnetic,and Other SimilarIron,Nickel,and Cobalt AlloysE403Test Method for Optical Emission SpectrometricAnalysis of Carbon and Low-Alloys Steel by the Point-to-Plane Technique98SA-7511998SECTION IIE404Test Method for Spectrographic Determination of Boron in Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel by the Point-to-Plane TechniqueE415Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectromet-ric Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy SteelE421Test Method for Spectrographic Determination of Silicon and Aluminum in High-Purity IronE485Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spec-trometric Analysis of Blast Furnace Iron by the Point-to-Plane TechniqueE572Method for X-Ray Emission Spectrometric Analy-sis of Stainless SteelE663Practice for Flame Atomic Absorption AnalysisE882Guide for Accountability and Quality Control inthe Chemical Analysis LaboratoryE1019Methods for Determination of Carbon,Sulfur, Nitrogen,Oxygen,and Hydrogen in Steel and in Iron, Nickel,and Cobalt AlloysE1024Guide for Chemical Analysis of Metals and Metal Bearing Ores by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectro-photometryE1063Test Method for X-Ray Emission Spectrometric Determination of Cerium and Lathanum in Carbon and Low-Alloy SteelsE1086Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spec-trometric Analysis of Stainless Steel by the Point-to-Plane Excitation TechniqueE1087Practice for Sampling Molten Steel from a Ladle Using An Immersion Sampler to Produce a Specimenfor Emission Spectrochemical AnalysisE1097Guide for Direct Current Plasma Emission Spec-trometry AnalysisE1184Practice for Electrothermal(Graphite Furnace) Atomic Absorption AnalysisE1282Guide for Specifying the Chemical Compositions and Selecting Sampling Practices and Quantitative Analysis Methods for Metals and AlloysE1329Practice for Verification and the Use of Control Charts in Spectrochemical Analysis3.Terminology3.1Definitions—Pertaining to Analyses:3.1.1cast or heat(formerly ladle)analysis—applies to chemical analyses representative of a heatof steel as reported to the purchaser and determinedby analyzing a test sample,preferable obtained duringthe pouring of the steel,for the elements designatedin a specification.3.1.2product,check or verification analysis—a chemical analysis of the semifinished orfinished prod-1296uct,usually for the purpose of determining conformance to the specification requirements.The range of the specified composition applicable to product analysis is normally greater than that applicable to heat analysis in order to take into account deviations associated with analytical reproducibility(Note1)and the heterogeneity of the steel.NOTE1—The chemical analysis procedures in Methods E350, E352,E353,E354,and E1019include precision statements with regard to reproducibility data.3.1.3product analysis tolerances(Note2)—a permissible variation over the maximum limit or under the minimum limit of a specified element and applicable only to product analyses,not cast or heat analyses. NOTE2—The term“analysis tolerance”is often misunderstood. It does not apply to cast or heat analyses determined to show conformance to specified chemical limits.It applies only to product analysis and becomes meaningful only when the heat analysis of an element falls close to one of the specified limits.For example, stainless steel UNS30400limits for chromium are18.00to20.00%.A heat that the producer reported as18.01%chromium may be found to show17.80%chromium by a user performing a product analysis.If the product analysis tolerance for such a chromium level is0.20%,the product analysis of17.80%chromium would be acceptable.A product analysis of17.79%would not be acceptable.3.1.4proprietary analytical method—a nonstan-dard analytical method,not published by ASTM,utiliz-ing reference standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST)(when available) or other sources referenced in Section10.3.1.5referee analysis—performed using ASTM methods listed in9.1.1and NIST reference standards or methods and reference standards agreed upon between parties.The selection of a laboratory to perform the referee analysis shall be a matter of agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.3.1.6certified reference material—a specimen of material specially prepared,analyzed,and certified for chemical content under the jurisdiction of a recognized standardizing agency or group,such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology,for use by analytical laboratories as an accurate basis for compari-son.Reference samples should bear sufficient resem-blance to the material to be analyzed so that no significant differences are required in procedures or corrections(for example,for interferences or inter-element effects).3.1.7working reference materials—reference materials used for routine analytical control and trace-able to NIST standards and other recognized standards when appropriate standards are available.PART A—FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-7513.1.8Pertaining to Elements:3.1.9intentionally added unspecified element—an element added in controlled amounts at the optionof the producer to obtain desirable characteristics.3.1.10residual element—a specified or unspeci-fied element,not intentionally added,originating in raw materials,refractories,or air.3.1.11specified element—an element controlledto a specified range,maximum or minimum,in accord-ance with the requirements of the product specification.3.1.12trace element—a residual element that may occur in very low concentrations,generally less than0.01%.4.Concerning the Specification of ChemicalComposition Requirements4.1It is recommended that Guide E1282be consultedas a guide for specifying the chemical compositionsfor steels.4.2The recommended practice for specifying chemi-cal composition limits is to limit the number of signifi-cantfigures for each element so that the number offigures to the right of the decimal point conforms tothe following:Chemical Maximum Number of Figures to Concentration the Right of the Decimal PointUp to0.010%—0.XXXX or may be expressed asppmUp to0.10%—0.XXX0.10to3.00%—0.XXOver3.0%—0.X4.3For those cases in which the composition range spans either0.10or3.0%,the number offigures tothe right of the decimal is to be determined by that indicated by the upper limit.4.4Technical considerations may dictate the employ-ment of less than the number offigures to the rightof the decimal as previously recommended.NOTE3—The recommendations should be employed to reducethe number of significantfigures,such as from18.00to18.0%,buta significantfigure should never be added unless there is a technical reason for so doing.12975.Cast or Heat Analysis5.1The producer shall perform analyses for those elements specified in the material specification.The results of such analyses shall conform to the require-ments specified in the material specification.5.1.1For multiple heats,either individual heat or cast analysis or an average heat or cast analysis shall be reported.If significant variations in heat or cast size are involved,a weighted average heat or cast analysis,based on the relative quantity of metal in each heat or cast,shall be reported.5.1.2For consumable electrode remelted material,a heat is defined as all the ingot remelted from a primary heat.The heat analysis shall be obtained from one remelted ingot or the product of one remelted ingot of each primary melt.If the initial heat analysis does not meet the heat(ladle)analysis requirements of the specification,one sample from the product of each remelted ingot shall be analyzed and the analysis shall meet the heat(ladle)analysis requirements.5.2If the test samples taken for the heat analysis are lost,inadequate,or not representative of the heat, a product analysis of the semifinished orfinished product may be used to establish the heat analysis.5.2.1If a product analysis is made to establish the heat analysis,the product analysis shall meet the specified limits for heat analysis and the product analysis tolerance described in Section6do not apply.6.Product Analysis Requirements6.1For product analysis,the range of the specified chemical composition is normally greater(designated product analysis tolerances)than that applicable to heat analyses to take into account deviations associated with analytical reproducibility and the heterogeneity of the steel.If several determinations of any element in the heat are made,they may not vary both above and below the specified range.6.2Product analysis tolerances may not be used to determine conformance to the specified heat or cast analysis unless permitted by the individual material specification.6.3Product analysis tolerances,where available,are given in the individual material specification or in the general requirement specifications.SA-7511998SECTION II7.Unspecified Elements(Note4)7.1Reporting analyses of unspecified elements is permitted.NOTE4—All commercial metals contain small amounts of various elements in addition to those which are specified.It is neither practical nor necessary to specify limits for every unspecified elementthat might be present,despite the fact that the presence of many of these elements is often routinely determined by the producer.7.2Analysis limits shall be established for specific elements rather than groups of elements such as“all others,”“rare earths,”and“balance.”8.Reference Materials8.1For referee analyses,reference standards of a recognized standardizing agency shall be employed with preference given to NIST standard reference materials when applicable.(NIST does not produce reference standards suitable for all elements or all alloys.)8.1.1When standard reference materials for certain alloys are not available from NIST,reference materials may be produced by employing ASTM standard proce-dures and NIST standard reference materials to the extent that such procedures and reference standards are available.Several independent laboratories should be used for certification of these standards and their results statistically reviewed and merged.8.1.2Methods not published by ASTM such asa definitive analytical method may be used when the method is validated by analyzing certified reference materials along with the candidate reference material. Examples of definitive analytical methods include gravi-metric,coulometry,titrimetric based on normality,and mass spectrometry.8.2Working reference materials may be used for routine analytical control.9.Sampling9.1Cast or Heat Analyses:9.1.1Samples shall be taken insofar as possible, during the casting of a heat,at a time which,in the producer’s judgment,best represents the compositionof the cast.9.1.2In case the heat analysis samples or analysesare lost or inadequate,or when it is evident that the sample does not truly represent the heat,representative samples may be taken from the semifinished orfinished product,in which case such samples may be analyzed1298to satisfy the specified requirements.The analysis shall meet the specified limits for heat analysis.9.2Check,Product,or Verification Analyses:9.2.1Unless otherwise specified,the latest revision of Practice E59shall be used as a guide for sampling.10.Test Methods10.1This section lists some methods that have been found acceptable for chemical analysis of steels.10.1.1The following ASTM wet chemical methods have been found acceptable as referee test methods and as a base for standardizing instrumental analysis techniques:Test Methods General DescriptionE30antecedent to Methods E350through E354E350the basic wet chemical procedure for steelsE352wet chemical procedure for tool steelsE353wet chemical procedure for stainless steelsE354wet chemical procedure for high nickel steelsE1019determination of carbon,sulfur,nitrogen,oxygen,and hydrogen,in steel and in iron,nickel,andcobalt alloys10.1.2The following ASTM instrumental test methods,practices,and guides may be employed for chemical analysis of steels or may be useful as a guide in the calibration and standardization of instrumental equipment for routine analysis of steels:Methods General DescriptionE50apparatus,reagents,and safetyE60photometric and spectrophotometric workE212spectrographic analysis of steels(rod-to-rodtechnique)E293spectrophotometric analysis of acid-solublealuminumE322X-rayfluorescence for steelsE327spectrometric analysis of stainless steelsE403spectrometric analysis of steelsE404spectrographic determination of steels for boron(point-to-plane technique)E415vacuum spectrometric analysis of steelsE421spectrographic determination of silicon andaluminum in high-purity ironE485optical emission vacuum spectrometric analysisof blast furnace iron by the point-to-planetechniqueE572X-ray emission spectrometric analysis of stainlesssteelsE1019determination of carbon,sulfur,nitrogen,oxygen,and hydrogen in steel and in iron,nickel,andcobalt alloysE1024flame atomic absorptionPART A—FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-751Methods General DescriptionE1063X-ray emission of spectrometric determination ofcerium and lathanum in carbon and low-alloysteelsE1086optical emission vacuum spectrometric analysisof stainless steel by the point-to-plane excitationtechniqueE1087samplingE1097direct current plasma spectroscopyE1184graphite furnace atomic absorptionE1282selecting sampling practices and analysismethodsE1329verification and use of control charts10.2The following are some of the commonly ac-cepted techniques employed for routine chemical analy-sis of steel.These routine analyses are the basis ofthe producers’quality control/assurance programs.Pro-prietary methods are permissible provided the resultsare equivalent to those obtained from standard methods when applicable.10.2.1Analysis of stainless steels using an X-rayfluorescence spectroscopy(XRF).See Table1for nor-mal elements and ranges for stainless steels.10.2.2Analysis of stainless steels using spark emission spectroscopy(OES).See Table2for normal elements and ranges for stainless steel.10.2.3Analysis of solutions using an atomic ab-sorption spectrophotometer.10.2.4Analysis of solutions using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer.10.2.5Determination of carbon or sulfur,or both,by combustion(in oxygen)and measurement of CO2,or SO2,or both,by thermal conductivity or infrared detectors.Element Ranges%Elements Ranges%C0.002–5.0S0.0005–0.110.2.6Determination of nitrogen and oxygen by fusion(in a helium atmosphere)and measurement ofN2by thermal conductivity and oxygen by measurementof CO by infrared or thermal conductivity detectors.Element Ranges%N20.0005–0.3O20.008–0.02129910.2.7Analysis of solutions using inductively cou-pled plasma emission spectroscopy(ICP)or direct plasma emission spectroscopy(DCP).Normal elements and ranges for stainless steels are as follows:Element Ranges%B0.0002–0.01Ca0.0002–0.01Mg0.0002–0.01Ce0.001–0.2Zr0.001–0.1Ta0.005–0.5La0.001–0.0110.3There are additional common techniques often used for chemical analysis of standards for instrument analysis such as:polarographic analysis,ion exchange separations,radioactivation,and mass spectrometry.11.Significant Numbers11.1Laboratories shall report each element to the same number of significant numbers as used in the pertinent material specifications.11.2When a chemical determination yields a greater number of significant numbers than is specified for an element,the result shall be rounded in accordance with Section12.12.Rounding Procedure12.1To determine conformance with the specification requirements,an observed value or calculated value shall be rounded in accordance with Practice E29to the nearest unit in the right-hand place of values listed in the table of chemical requirements.12.2In the special case of rounding the number“5”when no additional numbers other than“0”follow the “5”,rounding shall be done in the direction of the specification analysis limits if following Practice E29 would cause rejection to material.13.Report13.1The chemical analysis of a heat shall be reported only when specified by the user or the material specifi-cation.NOTE5—Columbium,Cb,is also known as niobium,Nb.SA-7511998SECTION II13.2Certification or identification to an ASTM mate-rial standard requires that the specific heat of steelmeets the chemical requirements of the ASTM standard.13.3Any report that is legally binding on the manu-facturer is acceptable as a certified test report.13.3.1Notarization of Certificates of Test is neitherrequired nor prohibited.14.Keywords14.1cast analysis;chemical analysis;heat analysis;product analysis;reference materials.TABLE1NORMAL ELEMENTS AND RANGES FOR STAINLESSSTEELS USING X-RAY FLUORESCENCESPECTROSCOPYElement Ranges%Element Ranges%MN0.005–15.0Cu0.005–4.0P0.001–0.15Cb0.005–3.0Si0.005–5.0V0.005–2.0Cr0.01–26.0Ti0.005–2.5Ni0.01–36.0Co0.005–4.0Al0.002–5.5Sn0.002–0.20Mo0.005–8.0W0.005–3.0TABLE2NORMAL ELEMENTS AND RANGES FOR STAINLESSSTEELS USING SPARK EMISSION SPECTROSCOPYElement Ranges%Element Ranges%C0.004–5.0V0.005–2.0S0.0005–0.1Ti0.005–2.5N20.0020–0.3Co0.005–4.0MN0.005–15.0Sn0.001–0.20P0.001–1.5W0.005–3.0Si0.005–5.0Pb0.002–0.05Cr0.01–26.0B0.0005–0.05Ni0.01–36.0Ca0.0002–0.01Al0.001–5.5Mg0.001–0.01Mo0.005–8.0Ce0.001–0.2Cu0.005–4.0Zr0.001–0.1Cb0.005–3.0Ta0.005–0.51300。
