This document describes the criteria and the procedure for analysing aluminium and aluminium alloys with spark optical emission spectrometry (S-OES). The scope of this document covers the following:
-sample preparation;
-operational guidelines for an optical emission spectrometer (including maintenance);
-traceability of the analytical results to the International System of units: mass (kg);
-assessing the uncertainty associated with each analytical result.
This document refers to simultaneous spark emission spectrometers for the analysis of solid samples.
It applies to the determination of silicon, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, chromium, nickel, zinc, titanium, boron, gallium, vanadium, beryllium, bismuth, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, lithium, sodium, phosphorus, lead, antimony, tin, strontium and zirconium in aluminium and aluminium alloys.
Elements other than those listed above may be analysed on the condition that:
a) suitable reference materials are available; and
b) the instrument is suitably calibrated and equipped.
In the case of determining mercury, for compliance purposes an alternate method with a limit of quantification < 0,000 1 % is recommended as its detection is compromised by intense iron interference at 253,65 nm.
The test result obtained from a spark optical emission spectrometer generally concerns an amount of less than one milligram per spark spot. The result can be used to refer to the laboratory test sample, to the aluminium or aluminium alloy melt or to the cast product.