This practice is primarily to be used to dry samples for the determination of mercury test portions, and it should not be used for the determination of sample moisture content. Most sample preparation methods prescribe drying the samples at 105°C, until a constant mass is obtained. The moisture content is determined as the percentage mass loss on drying. However. since mercury can volatize from samples at the normally utilized temperature, samples that are to be used for mercury determination shall be dried at 60°C (See Practice E 877, Method ISO 9599, Method ISO 1273, and Method ISO 10251).

It is assumed that all who use this practice will be trained analysts capable of performing skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be performed in a properly equipped laboratory under appropriate quality control practices such as those described in Guide E 882.