Overview
ASTM E205-96(2022): Standard Specification for Glass and Oxygen Combustion Flask defines the requirements for glass flasks and closures equipped with a fixed platinum sample holder, intended for use in original oxygen-flask combustion procedures. Developed by ASTM International, this specification ensures quality and safety in laboratory applications where combustion analysis is performed to determine the presence of specific elements, such as halogens or sulfur, in organic substances. The document details both design and dimensional requirements, strictly using SI units, to promote consistency across laboratories worldwide.
Key Topics
- Material Specifications: The combustion flasks and their closures must be made of borosilicate glass, providing high resistance to thermal shock and chemical corrosion.
- Platinum Sample Holder: All closures specified are supplied with a fixed platinum sample holder, which is essential for supporting the sample during combustion under an oxygen atmosphere.
- Standard Sizes: The primary standard flask sizes outlined are 300 mL and 500 mL. Larger sizes, such as 1000 mL and 2000 mL, are also used in some specialized analyses, particularly for tissue samples.
- Safety Precautions: The specification underscores the importance of laboratory safety measures-including the use of gloves, goggles, and shields-when handling oxygen combustion flasks.
- Scope Limitations: The standard applies exclusively to flasks employing traditional ignition methods. Apparatus utilizing electric or infrared ignition are excluded from this specification due to insufficient industry experience.
Applications
ASTM E205-96(2022) is widely used in analytical chemistry labs for precise microanalysis, particularly in:
- Elemental Analysis: Determining the presence and quantity of halogens, sulfur, and other elements in organic or biological materials via oxygen-flask combustion.
- Research and Quality Control: Supporting protocols in research institutions, academic laboratories, and industrial settings where accurate chemical analysis is required.
- Standardized Testing: Providing laboratories with a common reference for equipment, ensuring compatibility and repeatability of results across different testing facilities.
The standard’s strict design criteria facilitate safe and reliable operation, making glass oxygen combustion flasks fundamental in processes that mandate rigorous analytical precision.
Related Standards
Several other ASTM standards work in conjunction with ASTM E205-96(2022) to cover various aspects of laboratory apparatus and analytical processes, including:
- ASTM E920: Specification for commercially packaged laboratory apparatus, ensuring safe and suitable packaging for transport and storage.
- ASTM E921: Specification for export packaging of laboratory apparatus, aimed at international shipping requirements.
- ASTM E1133: Practice for performance testing of packaged laboratory apparatus, with a focus on equipment intended for United States government procurement.
- ASTM E1157: Specification for sampling and testing reusable laboratory glassware, ensuring the reliable performance of glass analytical equipment during repeated use.
Practical Value
Complying with ASTM E205-96(2022) guarantees that laboratories utilize glass and oxygen combustion flasks designed for maximum safety, durability, and analytical reliability. By adhering to these detailed specifications, organizations promote high standards of laboratory practice, increase confidence in analysis results, and support regulatory compliance within the field of analytical chemistry.
Keywords: ASTM E205, glass laboratory flask, oxygen combustion flask, platinum sample holder, combustion analysis, halogen determination, sulfur analysis, borosilicate glass, analytical chemistry standard.