EN ISO 3907:2009 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 3907:2009 is a standardized gravimetric method developed by ISO and adopted by CEN for the determination of total carbon content in carbides and hardmetals. This method applies specifically to carbides of metals such as chromium, hafnium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, and zirconium, including mixtures of these carbides and binder metals free of lubricants. The method is suitable for all grades of presintered or sintered hardmetals with a total carbon mass fraction above 4%.

The gravimetric approach involves oxidation of carbon to carbon dioxide in a high-temperature oxygen stream, with subsequent absorption and weighing of carbon dioxide absorbed by Ascarite. This method ensures precision and reliability in quality control and material characterization within powder metallurgy and related hardmetal production industries.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability Covers determination of total carbon in carbides and hardmetals with more than 4% carbon content. Ideal for industrial quality testing of tungsten and vanadium carbides, among others.

• Method Principle Carbon is oxidized to CO₂ at temperatures between 1200 °C and 1350 °C. Carbon dioxide produced is absorbed by Ascarite, and the mass increase corresponds to total carbon content.

• Required Reagents and Materials

  • High-purity oxygen with low carbon impurity (