EN 12441-8:2004

Overview

EN 12441-8:2004 is a European standard developed by CEN for the chemical analysis of zinc and zinc alloys, specifically focusing on the determination of tin in secondary zinc. This standard specifies a flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) method to accurately measure the tin content within a range of 0.1% to 1.0% mass fraction. It is applicable to secondary zinc products defined in EN 13283 and is part of a series of standards addressing various elemental analyses in zinc alloys. The method ensures reliable quality control and supports compliance with industry requirements for secondary zinc materials.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  The method is designed for secondary zinc and covers tin content measurement crucial for monitoring alloy composition and material quality. Applicable to samples specified in EN 13283.

• Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS)
  Utilizes a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame to atomize the sample solution. Tin atoms absorb radiation at 235.5 nm, and absorbance is measured to quantify tin concentration.

• Sample Preparation and Reagents
  Samples are dissolved in hydrochloric acid with hydrogen peroxide to ensure complete dissolution without volatilization of tin compounds. High-purity reagents and standard solutions of tin and zinc are used to maintain accuracy.

• Calibration and Measurement
  Calibration involves preparing standards with known tin concentrations. Absorbance values from samples are compared against these standards to determine tin content through a calibration curve.

• Precision and Repeatability
  The standard includes statistical data from interlaboratory tests demonstrating robust repeatability and reproducibility. Logarithmic relationships between tin content and precision metrics are detailed, ensuring confidence in results.

• Test Reporting
  Clear guidelines specify the inclusion of sample identification, method reference, results with averages, any deviations or unusual occurrences, and laboratory credentials in test reports.

Applications

• Quality Control in Metal Production
  Ensures that secondary zinc used in manufacturing meets required tin content specifications, critical for product performance and safety.

• Material Certification and Compliance
  Facilitates compliance with European regulations and standards by providing a validated analytical technique for tin determination.

• Recycling and Secondary Materials Industry
  Supports the assessment of recycled zinc materials, aiding in maintaining alloy standards and minimizing impurities.

• Laboratory Testing and Research
  Provides a standardized method for laboratories performing chemical analyses on zinc alloys, promoting consistent and comparable data.

Related Standards

EN 12441-8:2004 forms part of a broader series on zinc alloy analysis:

• EN 12441-1: Aluminium determination in zinc alloys (Titrimetric method)
• EN 12441-2: Magnesium determination (Flame atomic absorption spectrometric method)
• EN 12441-3: Lead, cadmium, and copper determination (FAAS method)
• EN 12441-4 & EN 12441-5: Iron determination in zinc alloys and primary zinc (Spectrophotometric methods)
• EN 12441-6: Aluminium and iron determination (FAAS method)
• EN 12441-7: Tin determination after extraction (FAAS method)
• EN 12441-9: Nickel determination (FAAS method)
• EN 12441-10: Chromium and titanium determination (Spectrophotometric method)
• EN 12441-11: Silicon determination (Spectrophotometric method)

Other relevant documents include EN 12060 for sampling methods and EN 13283 defining secondary zinc products.

This comprehensive standard enables precise, accurate chemical analysis of tin content in secondary zinc, meeting industry demands for quality assurance in metal production and recycling sectors. The use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry is key to achieving consistent and reproducible measurement results, essential for trustworthy material characterization.