ASTM Committee D11- Rubber and Rubber Products 'Document Sheet' for Industry Reference Material IRM-031 Sulfur

Background
Industry Reference Materials (IRMs), used for a number of test methods under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D11, are prepared according to ASTM D 4678, "Preparation, Testing, Acceptance and Documentation for Industry Reference Materials (IRM)". Refer to this for details not covered in this document. Candidate materials that are intended as IRMs are tested and accepted on the basis if (1) homogeneity of the lot and (2) an Accepted Reference-value or AR-value, for the appropriate properties for any IRM. The AR-value is the test value that should be obtained (within specified limits) for the selected one or more properties. AR-values are of two types: Global AR-values, obtained as an average (with specified 3 s limits) from an interlaboratory test program and Local AR-values, obtained as an average (with specified 3 s limits) for the laboratory involved with the preparation and testing.

Evaluation of the IRM
This lot of sulfur is a Local AR-value IRM. International Sulfur, Inc. produced it in July 1998 and the blending of the material was done by Akron Dispersions Inc. Homogeneity testing was conducted via the procedures as outlined in ASTM D 4678 Annex A.3 on the basis of (%) oil content analysis, via ASTM D 4573-95, for eight individual samples taken from the beginning to end of the lot production. The lot was declared to be homogeneous using the procedure as outlined in Annex A.3. The Local AR-value for % of oil content as obtained from the homogeneity testing is given below. One secondary property, wet sieve testing, was deemed important and an analysis was conducted for wet sieve analysis (for #100 and #200 sieves) via ASTM D 4572-89, on a composite sulfur sample obtained by blending all individual homogeneity samples.

Local AR-value
Oil Content, %, (ASTM D 4573) +/- 3 s = 7.85 +/- 0.56

Secondary Property
Wet Sieve (ASTM D 4572) (% through #100) +/- 1 s = 99.97 +/- 0.018
Wet Sieve (ASTM D 4572) (% through #200) +/- 1 s = 97.00 +/- 0.072
(The 3 s limits are based on 15 DF; 1 s limits are approximately 3 DF)

Supplementary Information
Store this IRM in a cool dry location; it is expected to remain stable for a period of five years. A full 'Research Report' documenting all the analysis for this IRM is on file at ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Dr., W. Consholhocken PA, 19428 USA.

Ordering IRM-031 Sulfur
This IRM is available for purchase in the following way:

Carton
IRM-031Sulfur, 6000 grams per carton
1 carton containing 4 bags (1500 grams each)
$300.00 USD/Carton (plus shipping)

Domestic shipments can be made within 48 hours of receipt of purchase order. International shipments can be made within 48 hours of receipt of funds in US currency. Wire transfer, Mastercard/VISA also accepted.