AQW CRM 001: Smelter Grade Alumina

Now Available

This new SGA Analysis Standard is now available for purchase, either in individual 500g bottles or in boxes of 10.

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“AQW CRM 001” is a Certified Reference Material (CRM) for use as a calibration standard for the analysis of the chemical components of Smelter Grade Alumina (SGA). It has been prepared from three alumina products blended in equal proportions. Sourced from Alcoa and Worsley Alumina in Western Australia, and Queensland Alumina in Queensland (Australia), it is typical of SGA produced in Australia and similar to SGA produced globally. The material has been dried at 300^oC and milled to 100% minus 30 microns. It is available in 500g lots packaged in sturdy wide-necked plastic bottles.

The sample preparation, round-robin chemical analysis program and certification processes were managed on behalf of AQW Inc. by Oreas Pty Ltd.

Instructions for use

This material is hygroscopic and must be handled so as to minimize adsorption of moisture. When not in use, the bottle should be kept tightly capped and stored in a closed container with a suitable desiccant. Subsamples must be dried for 2 h at 300 °C and then cooled in a desiccator before weighing for analysis.

The minimum mass of sample used should match the typical mass used in the inter-laboratory analysis program, i.e.:

• Borate fusion with XRF finish: ≥0.2g;
• MOI at 300°C and LOI between 300-1000°C: ≥1g;
• Borate fusion with ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS finish: ≥0.2g.

Analytical Program

Sixteen commercial analytical laboratories (11 independent laboratories and 5 alumina producer laboratories) participated in the round-robin analysis program.

The following methods were used:

1. Al₂O₃, CaO, Cr₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, K₂O, MgO, MnO, Na₂O, P₂O₅, SiO₂, SrO, TiO₂, V₂O₅, and ZrO₂ by lithium borate fusion with XRF;
2. BaO, BeO, Ga₂O₃, Sn, SrO, U, V₂O₅, W, ZnO and ZrO₂ by borate fusion with ICP-OES and or ICP-MS finish (except for the BV Perth laboratory used a laser ablation/ICP-finish);
3. MOI at 300°C and LOI at 1000°C on an ‘as received’ sample basis by TGA as per AS2879.1-2000

 Certified Values

The certified values and standard deviations (SD) are shown in the Table.