ASTM B39-79(2023)

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: B39 − 79 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Nickel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B39; 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 3.1.1 Name of material (nickel),
3.1.2 ASTM designation (E39),
1.1 This specification covers refined nickel primarily pro-
3.1.3 Form (state whether cathodes, briquettes, or pellets),
duced from ore or matte or similar raw material. The principal
and
commercial forms are cathodes, briquettes, and pellets.
3.1.4 Size (Section 5).
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
4. Chemical Composition
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4.1 The nickel shall conform to the requirements of Table 1.
and are not considered standard.
4.2 More restrictive compositions for certain products may
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
be available. The user is referred to his nickel supplier.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate 5. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided
5.1 The various forms and sizes commercially available are
by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health,
as follows:
and environmental practices, and determine the applicability
Form Size
of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1 1 5
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- Cathodes 1 ⁄2 in. by 1 ⁄4 in. by ⁄8 in. (38 mm by 32 mm by 16
mm)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Briquettes pillow shaped, about by in. (38 mm by 32 mm by
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
16 mm)
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Pellets roughly spherical, about ⁄4 in. (6.3 mm) diameter
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6. Sampling
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6.1 Cathodes—Cathodes may be sampled using either of the
2. Referenced Documents
following procedures:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1.1 Template Drilling Procedure:
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
6.1.1.1 Sampling of electronickel cathodes is done on one
Determine Conformance with Specifications
cathode removed for this purpose from every 60 cathodes
E39 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Nickel (Withdrawn
produced. A template is used to drill successive cathodes
1995)
diagonally from corner to corner. Using a suitable drill, one
⁄8 in. (16 mm) hole is drilled through each cathode, starting at
3. Ordering Information
the first hole in the template and progressing diagonally, with
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
holes at 3 ⁄4 in. (83 mm) centers. No lubricants shall be used.
the following information:
The drill shall be clean and the drilling speed shall be regulated
to avoid excessive heating.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
6.1.1.2 The 4 in. to 8 in. (102 mm to 203 mm) drilling
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B02.07 on Refined Nickel and Cobalt and Their Alloys. spirals are cut to ⁄4 in. (6 mm) pieces. These cuttings are
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
washed in boiling distilled water then quartered to provide the
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as B39 – 79 (2018). DOI:
sample.
10.1520/B0039-79R23.
6.1.2 Alternatively, sheared cathodes may be sampled by
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
taking pieces at random from the bottom, middle, and top of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
each package or container. The following number of pieces
the ASTM website.
3 shall be taken from each drum (containing 500 lb to 700 lb
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. (227 kg to 317 kg)):
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B39 − 79 (2023)
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
speed shall be regulated to avoid excessive heating. The
Composition, drillings are thoroughly mixed and divided by split sampler
Element
weight %
until the sample for analysis is about 100 g.
Nickel, min 99.80
6.3 Pellets:
Cobalt, max 0.15
Copper, max 0.02
6.3.1 One out of every ten 500 lb (225 kg) drums shall be
Carbon, max 0.03
selected for sampling. At least 30 pellets shall be taken from
Iron, max 0.02
each of the selected drums. The selected pellets shall be mixed
Sulfur, max 0.01
Phosphorus, less than 0.005
and divided until the sample for analysis is about 100 g.
Manganese
...