ASTM E1019

Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys by Combustion and Inert Gas Fusion Techniques

Applicability: Applies to steel, iron, cobalt, nickel alloys, and related metallurgical materials including ferroalloys, ores, and refractory metals in virtually any solid form — chips, drillings, turned samples, or powder. The standard does not apply to non-metallic materials such as ceramics, polymers, or coal, which require separate methods for carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen determination.

Purpose: Provides combustion and inert gas fusion instrumental methods for quantitative determination of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen in metals and alloys by burning the specimen in a high-temperature furnace under oxygen or inert gas and measuring the released gases (CO₂, SO₂, N₂, or CO) by infrared absorption or thermal conductivity detection. Results are used to verify alloy chemistry compliance, control heat treatment processes, and ensure interstitial element levels meet material specifications. The methods are widely used in metal production, quality control, and failure analysis.