Abstract： This presentation aims to recall “old” concepts and instructions, regarding sampling methods and sample preparation.Information on the procedures used in other fields of the metallurgical analysis, besides that of steel, will be given.However, these concepts and procedures are mostly linked to the foundry industry knowledge rather than to other possible fields requiring specific operations (if any).Sampling by itself is an “useless” action: it has to be taken as a corner of a “triangular” process, where the other two are the matrix under concern and the technique(s) to be used.A fourth “dimension” - the preparation of the sample - will also be detailed regarding its suitability, taking into account the alloy and the analytical technique (or method) supposed to be used.In cases of samples taken from a “piece”, warning on the re-melting possibilities and limits will be reminded.Some particular cases related with the preparation of divided samples will also be underlined.In parallel, the expertise (or rather, the lack of expertise) of operators in charge of these tasks will be reminded, together with that of customers sending “all kind of sample” to a laboratory (namely the third party ones).At last, the existing standards on “Sampling and sample preparation” will be pointed out, together with a “complaint” regarding the content of these documents, as some of them are not enough “mandatory”: they may lead therefore to some “bad” practices.
EN ISO 14284:2002, Steel and iron ： Sampling and preparation of samples for the determination of chemical composition (ISO 14284:1996)[S].
[2]
NF A 01-800 (Sept 1986), Produits de fonderie：Prélèvement et préparation des échantillons destinés à la détermination de la composition chimique — Fontes et aciers moulés [S].
[3]
ISO 1811-1:1988, Copper and copper alloys： Selection and preparation of samples for chemical analysis — Part 1: Sampling of cast unwrought products[S].
[4]
ISO 1811-2:1988, Copper and copper alloys ： Selection and preparation of samples for chemical analysis — Part 2: Sampling of wrought products and castings[S].
[5]
EN 14361:2004, Aluminium and aluminium alloys：Chemical analysis — Sampling from metal melts[S].
[6]
EN 12060:1997, Zinc and zinc alloys ： Method of sampling - Specifications[S].
[7]
Recommandation technique n° 354-01 du Bureau de Normalisation des Industries de la Fonderie, Analyse spectrométrique des alliages d'aluminium de fonderie - Echantillons massifs.
