This European Standard specifies an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry routine method for the analysis of unalloyed and low alloyed steels, whose iron content shall be at least 95 %. This standard differs from the similar standard EN 10351:2011 in that it is optimised for the determination of silicon.
This method is applicable to the elements listed in Table 1 within the ranges shown.
The sample preparation described may not completely dissolve samples having a combination of high chromium and substantial carbon. Incomplete dissolution may also affect the determination of manganese and molybdenum in these samples. For this reason, the scope of the method is limited to chromium contents = 0,9 %, whereas the scope of EN 10351 covers a range of up to 1,6 % chromium.
Table 1 - Application ranges
Element Mass fraction %
min. max.
Si 0,020 0,45
Mn 0,005 1,40
P 0,005 0,10
Cu 0,005 0,60
Ni 0,010 2,00
Cr 0,010 0,90
Mo 0,005 0,60
Sn 0,010 0,10

NOTE For tin, see NOTE 2 under Clause 11.
In all cases, the ranges specified can be extended or adapted (after validation) for the determination of other mass fractions, provided that the iron content in the samples under concern is above 95 %.
Other elements may be included. However such elements and their mass fractions should be carefully checked, taking into account the possible interferences, the sensitivity, the resolution and the linearity criteria of each instrument and each wavelength.
Depending also on the sensitivity of each instrument, suitable dilutions of the calibration and the test sample solutions may be necessary.
Moreover, even if the method described is "multi elemental", it is not absolutely necessary to carry out the determination of all the elements of its scope simultaneously. The measurement conditions have to be optimised by each laboratory, depending on the performances of each apparatus available.