ISO 14720-2:2026

Overview

ISO 14720-2:2026 specifies a standardized method for the determination of sulfur in non-oxidic ceramic raw materials and ceramic materials, including those that can be fully oxidized at high temperatures in an oxygen environment, such as carbon and graphite materials. The method involves combustion in an oxygen flow, followed by analysis using either inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or ion chromatography (IC). This international standard is highly relevant for laboratories, manufacturers, and quality assurance professionals working with ceramic materials where accurate sulfur content measurement is essential.

The method is applicable to materials with sulfur mass fractions up to 10% and considers practical detection limits of 0.5 mg/kg for ICP-OES and 5 mg/kg for IC. By providing clear procedures and guidance on potential interferences, calibration, and result reporting, ISO 14720-2:2026 supports quality control and comparability of results across the ceramics industry.

Key Topics

• Sample Preparation and Combustion: Detailed protocols for preparing and combusting ceramic materials to ensure complete oxidation and accurate sulfur quantification.
• Analytical Techniques:
  • ICP-OES for sensitive detection and quantification of sulfur, suitable for lower detection limits.
  • Ion Chromatography (IC) for analysis as sulfate, with specific guidance for avoiding interference from other anions.
• Interference Management: Recommendations for handling spectral, physical, and chemical interferences in both analytical methods.
• Calibration and Quality Assurance: Step-by-step instructions for calibration using standard solutions, including recommendations for the use of certified reference materials.
• Precision and Reporting: Guidelines for repeatability, reproducibility, calculation of mean values, and test reporting to ensure transparency and traceability.
• Detection Limits and Applicability: Defines mass fraction limits, detection capabilities, and any material-type exclusions (e.g., barium sulfate-containing materials).

Applications

ISO 14720-2:2026 is designed for a wide range of practical applications in the ceramic and refractory industries, as well as related quality assurance and R&D environments:

• Raw Material Characterization: Accurate sulfur determination is critical in qualifying non-oxidic raw materials, including carbon, graphite, silicon carbide, and more.
• Process Control: Monitoring sulfur content aids in controlling manufacturing processes and ensuring product consistency.
• Product Compliance: Verification of sulfur levels to meet international specifications and regulatory requirements in ceramics.
• Research and Development: Supports the development of new compositions by providing reliable sulfur analysis for experimental materials.
• Quality Assurance Laboratories: Enables accredited labs to deliver traceable and standardized sulfur determination results.
• Traceability and Certification: Facilitates the use of certified reference materials and reporting in compliance with ISO requirements for data quality and comparability.

Related Standards

Implementing ISO 14720-2:2026 is often accompanied by familiarity with related international standards, such as:

• ISO 14720-1: General methods for sulfur determination in ceramic materials (other techniques).
• ISO 10304-1: Water quality - Determination of dissolved anions by liquid chromatography of ions.
• ISO 11885: Water quality - Determination of selected elements by ICP-OES.
• ISO 8656-1: Sampling of refractory raw materials and unshaped products.
• ISO 5725-2, ISO/IEC Guide 98-3: Standards and guides for precision, trueness, and measurement uncertainty.
• ISO 26845: General requirements for wet chemical analysis and atomic spectrometric methods.
• Certified Reference Materials (CRM): Reference to CRM databases such as COMAR, ensuring traceable and validated analysis.

By adhering to ISO 14720-2:2026, organizations can ensure reliable, accurate, and internationally recognized determination of sulfur in non-oxidic ceramic materials, supporting high standards of product quality and regulatory compliance in ceramics manufacturing and testing.