Overview
ISO 6140:1991 - Aluminium ores - Preparation of samples is an international standard developed by ISO that specifies procedures for the treatment and preparation of gross samples and subsamples of aluminium ores. This standard ensures that samples are suitable for determining moisture content, conducting chemical analysis, and performing physical testing. Its methods are applicable to all types of aluminium ores and are essential for achieving precise and representative results in subsequent laboratory analyses. Proper sample preparation according to ISO 6140:1991 enhances the reliability and comparability of data in both commercial and research settings.
Key Topics
- Sample Treatment Methods: Details are provided on the sequential steps of reduction, mixing, and division, which are critical for obtaining representative subsamples for various analyses.
- Moisture Determination: Procedures are outlined for preparing and handling samples to prevent loss or gain of moisture, crucial for accurate determination of total moisture content in aluminium ore samples.
- Chemical and Physical Testing Preparation: Guidelines specify appropriate size reduction and handling methods for subsequent chemical analysis and various physical tests, such as particle size distribution and bulk density.
- Precision and Bias Control: The standard emphasizes the need to periodically check the precision and bias of sample preparation schemes to ensure the validity and repeatability of results.
- Packing and Labelling: Comprehensive directions are given for sealing, labelling, and documenting samples, ensuring traceability and consistency across batches and testing locations.
Applications
ISO 6140:1991 is widely used in the aluminium industry, mining operations, quality control laboratories, and research institutions for the following practical applications:
- Quality Control: Ensures that aluminium ore samples taken from shipments, mines, or stockpiles are processed to a homogenous state, enabling reliable quality checks and adherence to contractual requirements.
- International Trade: Facilitates fair and consistent assessment of ore quality for buyers and sellers, minimizing disputes by standardizing sample preparation procedures worldwide.
- Research and Development: Supports academic and industrial research by providing a reputable framework for the preparation of samples, allowing for reproducibility and comparability of experimental results.
- Process Optimization: Assists processing plants and smelters in monitoring feedstock characteristics, such as chemical composition and moisture content, which are critical for process adjustments and efficiency.
- Regulatory Compliance: Helps organizations comply with industry regulations and reporting standards by ensuring that sampling and analysis are conducted using globally recognized methods.
Related Standards
Organizations involved in aluminium ore sampling and analysis should also be aware of the following related ISO standards:
- ISO 8685: Aluminium ores - Sampling procedures, which complements ISO 6140 by describing methods for collecting representative samples.
- ISO 565: Test sieves - Nominal sizes of openings, referenced for determining particle sizes during sample preparation.
- ISO 6138: Aluminium ores - Experimental determination of the heterogeneity of constitution, useful for assessing how representative a sample is.
- ISO 9033: Aluminium ores - Determination of the moisture content of bulk material, specifies procedures for moisture analysis referenced within ISO 6140.
Adhering to ISO 6140:1991 and its related standards ensures robust, reliable, and internationally accepted practices for aluminium ore sample preparation, supporting accurate analysis and informed decision-making across the supply chain.
