ASTM B985-12(2016)

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: B985 − 12 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Sampling Aluminum Ingots, Billets, Castings and Finished
or Semi-Finished Wrought Aluminum Products for
Compositional Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B985; 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 therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
1.1 This practice describes procedures for sampling un-
conformance with the standard.
wrought aluminum ingots, billets, castings and finished or
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
semi-finished wrought aluminum products to obtain a repre-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sentative sample for determining chemical composition.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.1.1 Chemical compositions determined from samples ob-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tained in accordance with this standard practice may differ
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
from the bulk chemical composition determined from samples
takenwheningotsorcastingsarepoured.Thesedifferencescan
2. Referenced Documents
be due to elemental segregation that occurs during
2.1 ASTM Standards:
solidification, procedures that remove enriched material (for
B881 Terminology Relating toAluminum- and Magnesium-
example, ingot scalping), or procedures that remove depleted
Alloy Products
areas (for example, removal of the riser from a casting).
E34 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Aluminum and
1.1.2 Analysis of samples obtained from unwrought alumi-
Aluminum-Base Alloys
num ingots, billets, and castings and finished or semi-finished
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
wrought aluminum products can be used to determine if the
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
piece sampled meets The Aluminum Association, Inc. regis-
E607 Test Method for Atomic Emission Spectrometric
tered chemical composition limits or other specified chemical
Analysis Aluminum Alloys by the Point to Plane Tech-
composition limits for the alloy.Analysis of such samples shall
nique Nitrogen Atmosphere (Withdrawn 2011)
not supersede the analysis of samples taken during pouring of
E716 Practices for Sampling and Sample Preparation of
castings or ingots in accordance with Practices E716 and
Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys for Determination of
analyzed in accordance with Test Methods E34, E607, E1251,
Chemical Composition by Spark Atomic Emission Spec-
or EN 14242 and shall not be used for determining compliance
trometry
with chemical composition requirements for an entire cast lot
E1251 Test Method for Analysis of Aluminum and Alumi-
or part thereof.
num Alloys by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry
NOTE 1—Pieces may include ingots, forgings, coils, sheets, extrusions, 4
2.2 Other Standards:
castings, and so forth. A single unwrought ingot or billet may produce
EN 14242 Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys–chemical
multiple finished or semi-finished pieces.
Analysis—inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission
NOTE 2—Certification of entire cast lots should be determined using
samples taken during pouring of castings or ingots in accordance with Spectral Analysis
Practices E716 and analyzed in accordance with Test Methods E34, E607,
3. Terminology
E1251, or EN 14242.
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this Standard, refer to
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The Terminologies B881 and E135.
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.05 on the ASTM website.
Testing. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2016. Published November 2016. Originally www.astm.org.
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as B985 – 12. DOI: Available from European Committee for Standardization, Central Secretariat
10.1520/B0985-12R16. (CEN), rue de Stassart 36, B1050 Brussels, Belgium. http://www.cen.eu/esearch.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B985 − 12 (2016)
4. Summary of Practice 6.1.1 Chips that will be prepared as described in Test
MethodE34orEN14242canbeobtainedbydrillingorcutting
4.1 The procedures described in this practice involve the
and drilling at the locations specified in Section 7 for each type
cuttinganddrillingofaluminumproductstoobtainsamplesfor
of product. The chips should be uniformly small in size and
subsequent chemical analysis in accordance withTest Methods
free from scale, dirt, oil, grease, and so forth.
E34, E607, E1251, or EN 14242.
6.1.1.1 Cleaning—Oil and grease may be removed from the
5. Significance and Use
chips by rinsing with alcohol then drying before taking the
laboratory sample. Scale and dirt may be removed by washing
5.1 Products covered by this practice are unwrought alumi-
num ingots, billets, and castings and unclad wrought aluminum with a detergent and water then rinsing with distilled de-
ionized water and drying before taking the laboratory sample.
sheet, plate, rolled or cold finished extrusions, extruded
profiles, wire, rod and bar. Machined wrought products (fin- Additional chemical cleaning such as soaking the chips in 1%
ished or semi-finished) are excluded (see Note 3). These
(by volume) nitric acid may be necessary to remove embedded
practices, used in conjunction with the appropriate sample contaminants. Other cleaning procedures may be used pro-
preparation techniques in Practices E716 and the Test Methods
vided they do not alter the chemical composition in any way.
E34, E607, E1251, and EN 14242, are suitable to determine if
6.1.2 Use of a carbide or diamond tipped drill bit should
the piece sampled meets the chemical composition limits
provide satisfactory samples. To obtain chips, use a drill bit
registered with the Aluminum Association Inc. or other
between 10 mm [0.4 in.] and 13 mm [0.5 in.] in diameter. A
specified chemical composition limits for the alloy.Analysis of
25 mm [1 in.] deep hole with a 10 mm [0.4 in.] bit typically
such samples shall not supersede the analysis of samples taken
produces about 5 g [0.18 oz] of sample. Drill enough holes to
during pouring of castings or ingots in accordance with
collect at least 20 g [0.71 oz] of chips.The initial chips from an
Practices E716 and analyzed in accordance with Test Methods
external surface shall be discarded for any surface that is
E34, E607, E1251, or EN 14242 and shall not be used for
contaminated; in other words, lubricants, surface conditioning
determining compliance with chemical composition require-
materials, dirt, scale, and so forth. The chips from all locations
ments for an entire cast lot or part thereof.
shallbethoroughlymixedpriortotakingthelaboratorysample
NOTE 3—Sampling machined pieces of products pose a particular
for analysis.
problem because the piece itself may not be a representative sample of the
original cast chemical composition. Larger differences may be expected
NOTE 6—Using a drill bit made from bare HSS (high speed steel) may
between an analysis obtained from samples taken in accordance with this
contaminate the sample with iron.
practice and the original cast analysis of samples taken during pouring of
castings or ingot.
6.1.2.1 Othermachiningmethodsmaybeusedprovidedthat
NOTE 4—Portable Spark-AES and hand held XRF instruments should
contamination-free chips are obtained from the specified area
not be used to determine if the piece sampled meets chemical composition
of the product being sampled. Products that are too thin to drill
limits registered with Aluminum Association Inc or other specified
may be sampled by clipping off small samples.
chemical composition limits for the alloy.
5.2 Users should be aware that chemical compositions
6.2 Sampling for Remelt Analysis using Practices E716 in
determined using samples taken from unwrought aluminum
Combination with Test Method E1251:
ingots, billets, and castings and finished or semi-finished
6.2.1 Samples that will be re-melted (see Notes 8 and 9)in
products might differ from the bulk chemical composition
accordance with Practices E716 for subsequent elemental
determined using samples taken when ingots or castings are
analysis using Test Method E1251 should be obtained by
poured. This difference can be due to elemental segregation
cutting, (in other words, sawing, snipping, or shearing) at the
upon solidification, sampling a non-homogenous section of the
locations specified in Section 7 for each type of product.
ingot or billet, removal of enriched material, or depleted areas
6.2.1.1 If it is not possible to obtain laboratory samples by
of solidified material by subsequent procedures such as ingot
cutting, laboratory samples may be obtained by drilling and
scalping, the removal of risers from castings, or machining.
re-melting the chips. Due to the high surface area of chips, it
NOTE 5—When aluminum solidifies, macro-segregation may cause the
may be necessary to press the chips into solid pellets with
chemical composition to vary throughout the ingot or casting. Certain
sufficient pressure to compact the chips to reduce dross
areas may have enhanced or depleted concentrations of some elements
formation. Pressure of 140 MPa [20,000 psi] has been shown
relative to the average bulk chemical composition. Remnants of the
macro-segregationmayberetainedinfinishedandsemi-finishedproducts.
to be adequate for compressing chips.
Thesamplingproceduresdescribedinthispracticearedesignedtoprovide
6.2.2 The amount of laboratory sample required depends on
a laboratory sample for analysis which represents the chemical composi-
the sampler type in use and the method used to preheat the
tion of the piece by taking samples in a way that symmetrically includes
the various enhanced and depleted zones for example, sampling across the sampler as required by E716. Preheating the sampler by taking
radius of a round ingot, and so forth.
and discarding a laboratory sample requires enough material
fortwolaboratorysamples.Preheatingbyothermeansrequires
6. Sampling and Handling Requirements Specific to Each
enough material for one laboratory sample. The type B book
Analysis Method
molds and Alcoa vacuum samplers require approximately
6.1 Sampling for the Analysis of Chips by Test Method E34
150 g [6 oz] and 60 g [2.5 oz] of metal per laboratory sample
or EN 14242:
respectively to completely fill the mold and sprue.
Available from TheAluminumAssociation, Inc., 1400 Crystal Drive Suite 430 NOTE7—A25mm[1in.]cubeofaluminumweighsapproximately45 g
Arlington, VA 22202, http://www.aluminum.org. [1.5 oz].
B985 − 12 (2016)
6.2.3 If possible, combine all cut samples into a single 7.1.1 Sampling a Round Ingot by Drilling—Prior to drilling,
laboratory sample in the remelt furnace. If the cut samples are metal must be removed or cropped from the head and butt of
too big for the remelt crucible, they may be cut into smaller round ingots. For ingots 250 mm [10 in.] or less in diameter,
size samples or multiple laboratory samples may be analyzed remove or crop at least 1.5 times the diameter from the head
separately. When analyzed separately, the chemical composi- and butt of the ingot. For ingots greater than 250 mm [10 in.]
tion reported should be the average analysis determined from in diameter, remove or crop at least 380 mm [15 in.] from the
multiple remelt and cast laboratory samples for each element head and butt of the ingot.
analyzed.
7.1.1.1 Drill holes in both the front and rear of the ingot as
described below and shown in Fig. 1.
NOTE8—Remeltingisnotsatisfactoryforthedeterminationofcalcium,
7.1.1.2 Drill two holes near the outer edge approximately 5
lithium, sodium, and strontium. These elements may be lost due to
oxidation or volatilization, or both. Calcium, lithium, sodium, and
mm [0.2 in.] away from the as-cast surface.
strontium should be analyzed according to Test Method E34 or EN 14242
7.1.1.3 Drill one hole near the center.
or by direct analysis on the surface of the original piece according to Test
7.1.1.4 Drill three holes in the region approximately mid-
Methods E607 or E1251, and results reported as approximate.
NOTE 9—Because magnesium and zinc may be lost if the melt is
way between the holes at the outer edge and the center.
overheatedorkeptmoltenforanexcessivetime,thesampleshouldbecast
7.1.1.5 Drill holes at least 25 mm [1 in.] into the face.
as soon as possible after it reaches a temperature of 700°C.
Drillings from the front and rear of the ingot shall be treated as
6.2.4 Using a saw equipped with a carbide or diamond
separate laboratory samples and analyzed separately. The
tipped blade should provide satisfactory samples.
resultsmaybereportedasindividualsamplesorastheaverage.
Both samples however, must be within the specification chemi-
NOTE10—Theuseofbaresteelsawbladesmaycontaminatethesample
with iron. cal composition limits. The piece sampled does not meet the
specification chemical composition limits if one of the samples
6.2.4.1 Cleaning—Oil and grease may be removed from the
is outside of the chemical composition limits; even if the
samples by rinsing with alcohol then drying before taking the
average is within the specification.
laboratory sample. Scale and dirt may be removed by washing
7.1.1.6 Ifmoredrillinglocationsarerequiredtomakeupthe
withsoapandwaterthenrinsingwithdistilledde-ionizedwater
required sample weight, repeat the above pattern. Drillings
and drying before taking the laboratory sample. Additional
from additional locations are to be combined with the other
chemical cleaning such as soaking the samples in 1% (by
drillings from the head or butt locations shown in Fig. 1.
volume) nitric acid may be necessary to remove embedded
7.1.2 Sampling a Billet by Drilling—Drill holes in both the
contaminates. Other cleaning methods may be used provided
they do not alter the chemical composition in any way. front and rear of the billet as described below and shown in
Fig. 1.
(Warning—Chips and other cut samples must be dry before
melting. Moisture captured in the material may cause it to eject
7.1.2.1 Drill two holes near the outer edge approximately
heated metal or molten material and cause injury!) 5 mm [0.2 in.] away from the as-cast surface.
7.1.2.2 Drill one hole near the center.
7. Procedure for Obtaining Samples by Product Type
7.1.2.3 Drill three holes in the region approximately mid-
7.1 Ingots and Billets, Round: way between the holes at the outer edge and the center.
FIG. 1 Sampling a Round Ingot or Billet by Drilling
B985 − 12 (2016)
7.1.2.4 Drill holes at least 25 mm [1 in.] into the face. tion chemical composition limits. The piece sampled does not
Drillings from the front and rear shall be treated as separate meet the specification if one of the samples is outside of the
laboratorysamplesandanalyzedseparately.Theresultsmaybe chemical composition limits; even if the average is within the
reported as individual samples or as the average. Both samples specification.
however, must be within the specification chemical composi-
7.1.4.6 Ifmoredrillinglocationsarerequiredtomakeupthe
tion limits. The piece sampled does not meet the specification required sample weight, repeat the above pattern. Drillings
if one of the samples is outside of the chemical composition
from additional locations are to be combined with the other
limits; even if the average is within the specification. drillings from the front or rear locations shown in Fig. 1.
7.1.2.5 Ifmoredrillinglocationsarerequiredtomakeupthe
7.1.4.7 Alternatively, chips may be collected from milling
required sample weight, repeat the above pattern. Drillings
the complete face or symmetrical section (half, quarter, and so
from additional locations are to be combined with the other forth.) of the slice.
drillings from the front or rear locations shown in Fig. 1.
7.1.5 Sampling a Round Ingot by Cutting Samples from a
7.1.3 Sampling a Round Ingot by Cutting a Transverse
Transverse Cross-sectional Slice—For ingots 250 mm [10 in.]
Cross-sectional Slice and Drilling—Foringots250mm[10in.]
or less in diameter, cut a transverse cross-sectional slice that is
or less in diameter, cut a transverse cross-sectional slice that is
at least 25 mm [1 in.] thick from a location at least 1.5 times
at least 25 mm [1 in.] thick from a location at least 1.5 times
the ingot diameter from the head and butt of the ingot. For
the ingot diameter from the head and butt of the ingot. For
ingots greater than 250 mm [10 in.] in diameter, cut a
ingots greater than 250 mm [10 in.] in diameter, cut a transverse cross-sectional slice that is at least 25 mm [1 in.]
transverse cross-sectional slice that is at least 25 mm [1 in.]
thick from a location at least 380 mm [15 in.] from the head
thick from a location at least 380 mm [15 in.] from the head and butt of the ingot. If the remelt furnace is large enough, it is
and butt of the ingot.
preferable to melt the entire slice. If the remelt furnace is not
7.1.3.1 Drill holes through the full thickness of the cross- large enough, samples should be cut from the slices as
sectional slice as described below and shown in Fig. 1. described below and shown in Fig. 1.
7.1.3.2 Drill two holes near the outer edge approximately 5 7.1.5.1 Cut two samples near the outer edge approximately
mm [0.2 in.] away from the as-cast surface.
5 mm [0.2 in.] away from the as-cast surface.
7.1.3.3 Drill one hole near the center.
7.1.5.2 Cut one sample near the center.
7.1.3.4 Drill three holes in the region approximately mid-
7.1.5.3 Cut three samples in the region approximately mid-
way between the holes at the outer edge and the center. way between the samples at the outer edge and the center.
7.1.3.5 Drillings from the head and butt slices shall be
7.1.5.4 Samples cut from the head and butt shall be treated
treated as separate laboratory samples and analyzed separately.
as separate laboratory samples and analyzed separately. The
The results may be reported as individual samples or as the
resultsmaybereportedasindividualsamplesorastheaverage.
average. Both samples however, must be within the specifica-
Both samples however, must be within the specification chemi-
tion chemical composition limits. The piece sampled does not cal composition limits. The piece sampled does not meet the
meet the specification if one of the samples is outside of the
specification if one of the samples is outside of the chemical
chemical composition limits; even if the average is within the composition limits; even if the average is within the specifi-
specification.
cation.
7.1.3.6 Ifmoredrillinglocationsarerequiredtomakeupthe
7.1.5.5 Ifmoresamplesarerequiredtomakeuptherequired
required sample weight, repeat the above pattern. Drillings
sample weight, repeat the above pattern. Samples cut from
from
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