Overview
SIST ISO 12830:2020 specifies a laboratory procedure for the determination of acid-soluble magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in paper, board, pulps and cellulose nanomaterials. The method determines the acid‑soluble fraction of the incineration (ignition) residue - i.e., the portion soluble in hydrochloric or nitric acid - and uses atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP/ES) for measurement. Where the residue is completely soluble, results approximate total element content. The standard includes instructions for sampling, incineration at 525 °C, residue dissolution, calibration, blanks and expression of results.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applicable to all types of paper, board, pulps and cellulose nanomaterials (including nano‑objects and nanostructured cellulose).
- Principle: Incinerate test specimen, dissolve ash in HCl or HNO3, measure element concentrations by AAS or ICP/ES. Other techniques (e.g., ICP‑MS) may be used if validated.
- Sampling & sample preparation: References ISO sampling standards; includes special sampling and incineration guidance for cellulose nanomaterials.
- Reagents & calibration: Requires reagent‑grade acids and certified standards (examples provided for 1 000 mg/l stock solutions). Uses lanthanum chloride and cesium chloride solutions to reduce interferences in flame AAS when needed.
- Instrumentation: Procedures for AAS (air/acetylene or nitrous oxide/acetylene flames) and ICP/ES; advice on ionization suppression and interference elimination.
- Quality control: Calibration solutions, blank solutions, limits of determination dependent on element and instrument, and reporting of non‑detects.
- Safety: Warnings about hazardous chemicals, explosive gases (acetylene) and nanomaterial handling.
Practical applications and users
- Quality control and routine testing in the pulp and paper industry to monitor mineral loading, fillers and ash composition.
- Analytical laboratories performing elemental analysis of paper, board and pulps.
- Researchers and manufacturers working with cellulose nanomaterials who need elemental impurity data for material characterization, regulatory compliance or safety assessment.
- Regulatory bodies and certification laboratories requiring standardized, traceable test methods for material composition.
Related standards
- ISO 1762 - Determination of residue (ash) on ignition at 525 °C
- ISO 186 - Paper and board - Sampling
- ISO 638 - Dry matter content (oven‑drying)
- ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
- ISO 17812 - Determination of total Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe and Cu (related total‑element method)
Keywords: SIST ISO 12830:2020, acid‑soluble magnesium calcium manganese iron copper sodium potassium, AAS, ICP/ES, paper testing, pulps, cellulose nanomaterials, incineration residue, elemental analysis.