ASTM E255-23

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E255 − 23
Standard Practice for
Sampling Copper and Copper Alloys for the Determination
of Chemical Composition
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E255; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
1.1 This practice describes the sampling of copper (except
electrolytic cathode) and copper alloys in either cast or
3. Terminology
wrought form for the determination of composition.
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to
1.2 Cast products may be in the form of cake, billet, wire
Terminology E135.
bar, ingot, ingot bar, or casting.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 Wrought products may be in the form of flat, pipe, tube,
3.2.1 lot, n—as used in this practice, the unit to be sampled,
rod, bar, shape, or forging.
in pounds or pieces.
1.4 This practice is not intended to supersede or replace
3.2.2 test sample, n—as used in this practice, a composite of
existing specification requirements for the sampling of a
material taken by approximate proportional weight from each
particular material.
of the test pieces and from which the test portion shall be taken.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
NOTE 1—Appendix X1 describes the refinery shapes. Appendix X2
standard. The values in parentheses are given for information
describes the fabricators’ forms.
only.
4. Significance and Use
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This practice is intended primarily for the sampling of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
copper and copper alloys for compliance with compositional
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
specification requirements.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A
4.2 The selection of correct test pieces and the preparation
specific precautionary statement appears in Appendix X4.
of a representative sample from such test pieces are necessary
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
prerequisites to every analysis. The analytical results will be of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
little value unless the sample represents the average composi-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
tion of the material from which it was prepared.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5. Selection of Test Pieces
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 Casting:
2. Referenced Documents 5.1.1 Finished Product or Shipment Sample:
2 5.1.1.1 A shipping lot shall consist of all castings of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
same configuration and size necessary to comply with the
requirements of a single purchase order.
5.1.1.2 Castings are frequently produced in advance of
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical
orders and manufacturer’s or foundry lots may intermingle in
Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.05 on Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sn, Be, Precious Metals, their Alloys, and
stock.
Related Metals.
5.1.1.3 Since the size and configuration of castings vary, the
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
number of test pieces to be selected shall be subject to
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E255 – 07 (2014)
agreement between the manufacturer or supplier and the
which was withdrawn January 2023 and reinstated in June 2023. DOI: 10.1520/
E0255-23.
purchaser.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1.2 Manufacturer’s or Foundry Sample:
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1.2.1 For routine sampling and at the option of the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. manufacturer, a lot shall consist of the following:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E255 − 23
(a) All of the metal poured from a single furnace or 5.3.1.2 When possible, test pieces shall be selected in a
crucible melt, or manner that will represent correctly the material furnished but
(b) All of the metal poured from two or more furnaces into also avoid needless destruction of finished product (such as
a single ladle, or when samples representative of the material are available from
(c) All of the metal poured from a continuous melting other sources).
furnace between charges, or 5.3.2 Manufacturer’s or Foundry Sample:
(d) All of the metal poured from an individual melting 5.3.2.1 For routine sampling, the manufacturer shall have
furnace, or group of melting furnaces, having a uniform the option of taking samples during the course of manufacture.
melting stock, operating during the course of one-half shift, not Samples may be taken at the time castings are poured or from
to exceed 5 h. the semifinished product.
5.3.2.2 When samples are taken at the time castings are
5.1.2.2 The sample taken for lot analysis shall be obtained
poured, at least one sample shall be taken for each group of
during the pouring of the liquid metal into the mold, or molds,
castings poured from the source of molten metal.
in such a manner as to be representative of the lot and able to
5.3.2.3 When samples are taken from the semifinished
be drilled or used in solid form.
product, a sample shall be taken to represent each 4535.9 kg
5.1.2.3 Plant sampling practices should be developed and
(10 000 lb), or fraction thereof, except that not more than one
implemented which will give homogeneous samples represen-
sample shall be required per piece. Only one sample need be
tative of the cast or heat, and free of porosity. Analytical results
taken from the semifinished product of one cast bar from a
are frequently obtained by an atomic emission technique and,
single melt charge continuously processed.
depending upon the metallurgical history of the sample, results
may vary. Therefore, it is advisable to cool or quench the
6. Sampling
sample in a reproducible manner.
5.1.2.4 When foundry lot traceability is specified in the
6.1 General Considerations:
purchase order, additional samples shall be taken, identified,
6.1.1 The saw, drill bit, cutter, or other tool used shall be
and set aside when so requested by the purchaser.
thoroughly cleaned prior to use. The speed of sampling shall be
so regulated that excessive heating and consequent oxidation is
5.2 Cast Product:
avoided. Carbide-tipped tools are recommended. Steel tools,
5.2.1 For routine sampling and at the option of the
when used, shall be magnetizable to assist in the removal of
manufacturer, a lot shall consist of all of the metal poured from
extraneous iron. Only carbide-tipped or other wear-resistant
a single furnace melt or all of the metal poured from a
tools shall be used to sample metal which contains a magnetic
continuous melting furnace during a single casting cycle.
phase.
5.2.2 Unless otherwise agreed between the manufacturer
6.1.1.1 In the rare instance where tool lubricant is necessary
and the purchaser, sampling of a single lot shall be as follows:
to obtain a satisfactory sample, the lubricant shall be one that
5.2.2.1 Single Furnace Charge—The number of samples
will not react with the metal. The lubricant shall be completely
required depends on the size of the melting furnace and
removed immediately after the sampling operation by washing
homogeneity of the melt. A small well-stirred, alloying furnace
with a solvent which also does not react with the metal.
such as one inductively heated and of less than 22 680 kg (50
6.1.2 The test pieces shall be clean and free from scale, dirt,
000 lb) shall require but one sample taken midway in the pour.
oil, grease, and other extraneous contaminants before sam-
A large mechanically stirred furnace shall require a minimum
pling.
of three samples taken, one each at the beginning, middle, and
6.1.3 Test pieces taken from product not subject to signifi-
end of the casting period.
cant segregation shall be sampled by drilling, milling, or
5.2.2.2 Continuous Melting Furnace—A minimum of one
sawing each test piece. Sampling may also be performed by
sample shall be taken for each 3 h of the casting cycle.
clipping if pieces are thin or small.
6.1.4 Test pieces taken from product subject to significant
5.3 Wrought Products:
segregation shall be sampled by drilling or sawing completely
5.3.1 Finished Product or Shipment Sample:
through each test piece, or by milling the entire cross section of
5.3.1.1 The lot size, gross sample size, and selection of test
each test piece.
pieces shall be as follows:
(a) Lot Size—An inspection lot shall be 4535.9 kg (10 000 6.2 Finished Product or Shipment Sampling:
lb) or less of the same mill form, alloy, temper, and nominal 6.2.1 Castings:
dimensions, subject to inspection at one time; or it shall be the 6.2.1.1 Different parts of a casting may vary in composition.
product of one cast bar from a single melt charge, whose Therefore, a sample from a single casting shall be taken with
weight shall not exceed 9071.9 kg (20 000 lb), which was care to be representative of that casting. To obtain a sample
continuously processed and subject to inspection at one time. representative of the finished product lot, a number of test
(b) Gross Sample—The gross sample shall be four or more pieces should be sampled individually. Regardless, the sample
pieces selected to be representative of the lot. Should the lot should be taken that will be representative and large enough to
consist of four pieces or less, the entire lot shall constitute the suffice for all of the required determinations.
gross sample. 6.2.1.2 Where possible, depending on size and
(c) Test Piece—Each test piece shall be selected to be configuration, the casting shall be sampled by drilling five
representative of the lot. holes equally spaced around or along the casting. The drilling
E255 − 23
shall be done dry and the drill size shall be the largest practical, subjected to a strong magnet to remove any iron particles
but not less than 6.4 mm ( ⁄4 in.). Care shall be exercised that introduced during sampling.
no dirt, scale, or other foreign material is included with the 7.1.2 For metal that contains a magnetic phase, a wear-
drillings. resistant tool, such as carbide tipped, shall be used and
6.2.1.3 When limited by size or configuration, or both, the magnetic cleaning shall not be applied.
castings shall be sampled by milling the entire cross-section, 7.1.3 The test sample shall be prepared by thoroughly
by sawing through the cross section at several points, or by mixing equal masses of drillings, millings, sawings or clip-
drilling entirely through the casting at several points. pings that are of uniform size.
6.2.2 Cast Products—Horizontally or vertically cast prod- 7.1.4 The test sample shall weigh at least four times that
ucts shall be sampled by drilling a minimum of five holes at required for the total analysis, and shall be divided into four
points equally spaced between the test piece ends. For billet, equal portions. Each portion shall be placed in an identified
wire bar, and ingot these holes shall be along the middle line container and sealed; one portion each shall be reserved for the
and for cake on a diagonal line between opposite corners. manufacturer and the purchaser; one portion shall constitute
Alternatively, the cross section of the product may be milled at the reserve; and, when necessary, one portion shall be used for
similar points. Sampling test pieces of mass greater than any umpire testing.
454 kg (1000 lb) shall be subject to agreement between the 7.1.4.1 Material to be stored over a long period, which
manufacturer and the purchaser. oxidizes readily, or which alters in composition under varying
6.2.3 Wrought Products—Flat product, rod, bar, shape, tube, atmospheric conditions should be kept under a protective gas,
or forging shall be sampled by drilling, milling, or sawing the such as nitrogen, in an airtight container of suitable size and
entire cross section at a minimum of three points along the composition. This same storage method should be used when
length of the test piece
...