scope:

Standard methods of chemical analysis have traditionally been based on the techniques of classical chemistry. Generally, by specification of quantities and purity of reagents, such methods may be described completely and thereafter followed exactly in any laboratory. Today, however, the bulk of analysis is done by instrumental methods for which different laboratories may use instruments from various manufactures with different configurations and operational settings. It becomes of pressing importance to consider how such methods may be specifed in Standard documents with regard to both instrument quality and procedure. The present document considers these matters for methods employing flame atomic absorption spectrometry and makes recommendations. These prescribe instrument quality in terms of detection, curve linearity and precision. Recommendations concerning the preparation of solutions, the calibration procedure and the expression of results are also included. Methods for the determination of calcium in steel and cobalt in iron and steel are included as illustrative examples of the drafting recommendations.