WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — ASTM International has published a proposed standard to determine trace metal contact in carbon black.
The standard would use Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) or Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) after adequate digestion, the standards creating organization said.
ASTM's carbon black committee (D24) created the proposed standard called WK73324.
"ICP test methods are a commonly used and practical way to test trace metal contents in samples of various kinds of materials," ASTM member Dirk Roller, vice president of global quality and reference laboratories at Orion Engineered Carbons, said. "However, for carbon black, a standardized test method did not exist."
Concentration ranges covered by these methods are determined by the sensitivity of the instrument, the sample size taken for analysis and the dilution volume, Mr. Roller said. The pre-preparation for the ICP test (digestion) can occur by acid microwave digestion or by incineration of the sample.
A task group including users and producers of carbon black developed the testing methods. The work will be published under the subcommittee on environment, health, and safety (D24.66).
According to Orion Carbon, carbon black can contain traces of a number of metals at concentrations up to 10 parts per million; the amount and types depend on the feedstock used.
Among them are: antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chrome, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, mercury, selenium and zinc, Orion said.
Those interested in contacting the committee can reach Melissa Marcinowski at 610-832-9626 or [email protected]