ASTM E1476-04(2014)
Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting

Standard No.

ASTM E1476-04(2014)

Release Date

2004

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM E1476-04(2022)

Latest

ASTM E1476-04(2022)

Scope

4.1 A major concern of metals producers, warehouses, and users is to establish and maintain the identity of metals from melting to their final application. This involves the use of standard quality assurance practices and procedures throughout the various stages of manufacturing and processing, at warehouses and materials receiving, and during fabrication and final installation of the product. These practices typically involve standard chemical analyses and physical tests to meet product acceptance standards, which are slow. Several pieces from a production run are usually destroyed or rendered unusable through mechanical and chemical testing, and the results are used to assess the entire lot using statistical methods. Statistical quality assurance methods are usually effective; however, mixed grades, off-chemistry, and nonstandard physical properties remain the primary causes for claims in the metals industry. A more comprehensive verification of product properties is necessary. Nondestructive means are available to supplement conventional metals grade verification techniques, and to monitor chemical and physical properties at selected production stages, in order to assist in maintaining the identities of metals and their consistency in mechanical properties.

4.2 Nondestructive methods have the potential for monitoring grade during production on a continuous or statistical basis, for monitoring properties such as hardness and case depth, and for verifying the effectiveness of heat treatment, cold-working, and the like. They are quite often used in the field for solving problems involving off-grade and mixed-grade materials.

4.3 The nondestructive methods covered in this guide provide both direct and indirect responses to the sample being evaluated. Spectrometric analysis instruments respond to the presence and percents of alloying constituents. The electromagnetic (eddy current) and thermoelectric methods, on the other hand, are among those that respond to properties in the sample that are affected by chemistry and processing, and they yield indirect information on composition and mechanical properties. In this guide, the spectrometric methods are classified as quantitative, whereas the methods that yield indirect readings are termed qualitative.

4.4 This guide describes a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods. It summarizes the operating principles of each method, provides guidance on where and how each may be applied, gives (when applicable) the precision and bias that may be expected, and assists the investigator in selecting the best candidates for specific grade verification or sorting problems.

4.5 For the purposes of this guide, the term “nondestructive” includes techniques that may require the removal of small amounts of metal during the examination, without affecting the serviceability of the product.

4.6 The nondestructive methods covered in this guide provide quantitative and qualitative information on metals properties; they are listed as follows:

4.6.1 Quantitative: 

4.6.1.1 X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and

ASTM E1476-04(2014) Referenced Document

• ASTM E158 Standard Practice for Fundamental Calculations to Convert Intensities into Concentrations in Optical Emission Spectrochemical Analysis (Withdrawn 2004)
• ASTM E305 Standard Practice for Establishing and Controlling Spectrochemical Analytical Curves
• ASTM E322 Standard Test Method for X-Ray Emission Spectrometric Analysis of Low-Alloy Steels and Cast Irons
• ASTM E566 Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting of Ferrous Metals
• ASTM E572 Standard Test Method for X-Ray Emission Spectrometric Analysis of Stainless Steel
• ASTM E703 Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting of Nonferrous Metals
• ASTM E977 Standard Practice for Thermoelectric Sorting of Electrically Conductive Materials
• ASTM F1156 Terminology Relating to Product Counterfeit Protection Systems (Withdrawn 2001)
• ASTM F355 Standard Test Method for Shock-Absorbing Properties of Playing Surface Systems and Materials

ASTM E1476-04(2014) history

• 2022 ASTM E1476-04(2022) Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting
• 2004 ASTM E1476-04(2014) Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting
• 2004 ASTM E1476-04(2010) Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting
• 2004 ASTM E1476-04 Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting
• 1997 ASTM E1476-97 Standard Guide for Metals Identification, Grade Verification, and Sorting