ISO 26482:2010

Overview

ISO 26482:2010 - Hardmetals - Determination of lead and cadmium content defines a validated chemical and instrumental procedure for measuring lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in hardmetals (cemented carbides). The standard covers sample digestion, separation/concentration of Pb and Cd, and quantitative analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS/AAS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES/ICP). It applies to products with Pb and Cd mass fractions from 0.0001 % to 0.1 % (1 mg/kg to 1 000 mg/kg).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and limits: Applicable concentration range 0.0001–0.1 % (mass fraction) for Pb and Cd in hardmetals.
• Sample preparation: Dissolution using nitric and hydrofluoric acids, perchloric acid treatment, neutralization and removal of tungstic precipitate with sodium hydroxide.
• Separation & masking: Residual cobalt is masked using potassium cyanide (KCN); Pb and Cd are selectively extracted with dithizone in chloroform to concentrate the analytes and reduce matrix effects.
• Instrumentation & wavelengths:
  • AAS (FAAS) wavelengths: Pb 283.3 nm, Cd 228.8 nm; use a fuel-lean air/acetylene flame.
  • ICP wavelengths: Pb 220.3 nm, Cd 228.8 nm.
• Calibration & quantification: Preparation of mixed Pb/Cd standards (100 µg/ml) and multi-point calibration (0, 1, 3, 5 ml to 100 ml flasks) for plotting calibration curves before sample measurement.
• Quality control: Carry out reagent blanks, parallel blank tests, and follow reporting requirements (sample ID, method reference, results, analytical line, unusual features).
• Reagents & apparatus: Specifies analytical-grade reagents (HF, HNO3, HClO4, KCN, dithizone) and common lab glassware per ISO 385/648/1042; ICP-AES and FAAS instruments must be optimized per manufacturers’ instructions.

Practical applications and users

• Who uses it: Materials testing laboratories, cemented carbide (hardmetal) manufacturers, quality control/assurance teams, regulatory and compliance laboratories checking heavy-metal contamination.
• Why use it: Ensures reliable trace-level determination of Pb and Cd in hardmetal products for product quality, supplier control, environmental compliance and health/safety assessment.
• Benefits: Reduces matrix interferences through solvent extraction and masking, provides validated reproducibility data (annex includes inter-laboratory and repeatability results), and supports consistent reporting.

Related standards

• ISO 385 - Laboratory glassware - Burettes
• ISO 648 - Single-volume pipettes
• ISO 1042 - One-mark volumetric flasks
• Bibliography in ISO 26482 cites ISO 3696 (water quality) and ISO 11095 (linear calibration) as relevant references.

Keywords: ISO 26482:2010, hardmetals, lead determination, cadmium determination, FAAS, ICP-AES, dithizone extraction, sample digestion, KCN masking, trace analysis.