This test method provides a practical estimate of nonburnable residues in commercially available graphite materials. The ash values determined by this test method are of use in comparing the relative purity of various grades of graphite. To facilitate use, this test method institutes simplifications that preclude the ability to determine absolutely the ash values of the test graphite material due to uncontrolled sources of trace contamination.

This test method is not intended for use in determining the ash content of purified graphites, for example, nuclear materials. The relationship between the mineral content of a graphite sample and the ash content of that sample is unknown and is not determined by the application of this test method.