Overview
EN ISO 21079-1:2008 (ISO 21079-1:2008) - published by CEN - specifies methods for the chemical analysis of AZS refractories (alumina, zirconia and silica) containing 5 % to 45 % ZrO2. This Part 1 covers the apparatus, reagents and dissolution procedures used for traditional wet chemical methods as well as instrumental techniques such as ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission) and FAAS (flame atomic absorption). The standard provides an alternative to the X‑ray fluorescence (XRF) method in ISO 12677 and is not applicable to MgO‑based refractories.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and materials: AZS refractory products and raw materials with ZrO2 content from 5 % to 45 %; MgO‑based refractories excluded.
- Analytical range (selected examples; mass % ignited basis): ZrO2 5–45, Al2O3 1–80, SiO2 0.1–45, LOI −1 to 40; minor oxides (Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, Cr2O3, HfO2, MgO, Na2O, K2O) in specified low ranges.
- Apparatus and reagents: Ordinary laboratory apparatus plus specific reagents and traceable standard solutions (Al2O3, CaO, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, HfO2, MgO, EDTA, CyDTA, etc.). Reagents must meet analytical grade and ISO purity references.
- Dissolution and decomposition: Prescribed techniques for sample decomposition including fusion methods and hydrofluoric‑acid attack for complete dissolution prior to analysis.
- Procedural elements: Sampling, loss on ignition (LOI) determination, preparation of analytical solutions, expression and reporting of results.
- Instrumental integration: Use of wet chemistry alongside ICP‑AES and FAAS for element quantification.
Applications and users
- Quality control and chemical certification of AZS refractory products and raw materials.
- Materials testing and analytical laboratories performing refractory composition analysis.
- Refractory manufacturers and raw‑material suppliers requiring standardized wet chemistry and instrumental alternatives to XRF.
- Process development and failure analysis where accurate ZrO2, Al2O3 and SiO2 quantification is needed.
Keywords for search visibility: ISO 21079-1:2008, EN ISO 21079-1, chemical analysis of refractories, AZS refractories, alumina zirconia silica, ICP-AES, FAAS, wet chemical methods, dissolution methods, XRF alternative.
Related standards
- ISO 21079 (series) - Part 2 (wet chemical analysis) and Part 3 (FAAS and ICP‑AES) - complements Part 1.
- ISO 12677 - XRF method for refractories (ISO 21079-1 gives an alternative).
- ISO 26845 - General requirements for wet chemical analysis, AAS and ICP‑AES methods (normative reference used by this standard).