ASTM E350-12 - 15.8.2012
 
Significance and Use

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 Committees A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and A04 on Iron Castings. 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. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover the chemical analysis of carbon steels, low-alloy steels, silicon electrical steels, ingot iron, and wrought iron having chemical compositions within the following limits:

Element Composition Range, %

Aluminum

0.001 to 1.50

Antimony

0.002 to 0.03

Arsenic

0.0005 to 0.10

Bismuth

0.005 to 0.50

Boron

0.0005 to 0.02

Calcium

0.0005 to 0.01

Cerium

0.005 to 0.50

Chromium

0.005 to 3.99

Cobalt

0.01 to 0.30

Columbium (Niobium)

0.002 to 0.20

Copper

0.005 to 1.50

Lanthanum

0.001 to 0.30

Lead

0.001 to 0.50

Manganese

0.01 to 2.50

Molybdenum

0.002 to 1.50

Nickel

0.005 to 5.00

Nitrogen

0.0005 to 0.04

Oxygen

0.0001 to 0.03

Phosphorus

0.001 to 0.25

Selenium

0.001 to 0.50

Silicon

0.001 to 5.00

Sulfur

0.001 to 0.60

Tin

0.002 to 0.10

Titanium

0.002 to 0.60

Tungsten

0.005 to 0.10

Vanadium

0.005 to 0.50

Zirconium

0.005 to 0.15

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

Sections

Aluminum, Total, by the 8-Quinolinol Gravimetric Method
(0.20 % to 1.5 %)

124–131

Aluminum, Total, by the 8-Quinolinol Spectrophotometric
Method (0.003 % to 0.20 %)

76–86

Aluminum, Total or Acid-Soluble, by the Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry Method (0.005 % to 0.20 %)

308–317

Antimony by the Brilliant Green Spectrophotometric
Method (0.0002 % to 0.030 %)

142–151

Bismuth by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.02 % to 0.25 %)

298–307

Boron by the Distillation-Curcumin Spectrophotometric
Method (0.0003 % to 0.006 %)

208–219

Calcium by the Direct-Current Argon Plasma Atomic
Emission Spectroscopy Method (0.0005 % to 0.010 %)

289–297

Carbon, Total, by the Combustion Gravimetric Method
(0.05 % to1.80 %)Discontinued 1995

Cerium and Lanthanum by the Direct Current Plasma
Atomic Emission Spectrometry Method
(0.003 % to 0.50 % Cerium, 0.001 % to 0.30 % Lanthanum)

249–257

Chromium by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.006 % to 1.00 %)

220–229

Chromium by the Peroxydisulfate Oxidation-Titration
Method (0.05 % to 3.99 %)

230–238

Cobalt by the Nitroso-R Salt Spectrophotometric
Method (0.01 % to 0.30 %)

53–62

Copper by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.004 % to 0.5 %)

279–288

Copper by the Neocuproine Spectrophotometric
Method (0.005 % to 1.50 %)

114–123

Lead by the Ion-ExchangeAtomic Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.001 % to 0.50 %)

132–141

Manganese by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.005 % to 2.0 %)

269–278

Manganese by the Metaperiodate Spectrophotometric
Method (0.01 % to 2.5 %)

9-18

Manganese by the Peroxydisulfate-Arsenite Titrimetric
Method(0.10 % to 2.50 %)

164–171

Molybdenum by the Thiocyanate Spectrophotometric
Method (0.01 % to 1.50 %)

152–163

Nickel by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.003 % to 0.5 %)

318–327

Nickel by the Dimethylglyoxime Gravimetric
Method (0.1 % to 5.00 %)

180–187

Nickel by the Ion-Exchange-Atomic-Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.005 % to 1.00 %)

188–197

Phosphorus by the Alkalimetric Method
(0.02 % to 0.25 %)

172–179

Phosphorus by the Molybdenum Blue Spectrophotometric
Method (0.003 % to 0.09 %)

19-30

Silicon by the Molybdenum Blue Spectrophotometric
Method (0.01 % to 0.06 %)

103–113

Silicon by the Gravimetric Titration
Method (0.05 % to 3.5 %)

46–52

Sulfur by the Combustion-Iodate Titration Method
(0.005 % to 0.3 %)

37–45

Tin by the Sulfide-Iodometric Titration
Method (0.01 % to 0.1 %)

95–102

Tin by the Solvent Extraction-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Method
(0.002 % to 0.10 %)

198–207

Titanium, Total, by the Diantipyrylmethane Spectrophotometric
Method (0.025 % to 0.30 %)

258–268

Vanadium by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Method (0.006 % to 0.15 %)

239–248

1.3 Test methods for the determination of several elements 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. In some cases, exceptions allowed in are also used.

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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

E354-25

Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of High-Temperature, Electrical, Magnetic, and Other Similar Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys

E882-10

Standard Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory

E1097-25

Standard Guide for Determination of Various Elements by Direct Current Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

IEEE/ASTM SI 10

Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System

ISO 5725

Precision of Test Methods--Determination of Repeatability and Reproducibility for Inter-Laboratory Tests

E50-25

Standard Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials

E60-11(2022)e1

Standard Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Spectrophotometry (Includes all amendments and changes 6/29/2022).

E353-25

Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless, Heat-Resisting, Maraging, and Other Similar Chromium-Nickel-Iron Alloys

E1019-24

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys by Combustion and Inert Gas Fusion Techniques

E1024-97

Standard Guide for Chemical Analysis of Metals and Metal Bearing Ores by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

E1806-23

Standard Practice for Sampling Steel and Iron for Determination of Chemical Composition

D1193-24

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E135-26a

Standard Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 8/6/2026).

E173-93

Practice for Conducting Interlaboratory Studies of Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals (Withdrawn 1997)

E319-85(1997)

Standard Practice for the Evaluation of Single-Pan Mechanical Balances

E351-25

Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Cast Iron—All Types

E352-23

Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Tool Steels and Other Similar Medium- and High-Alloy Steels