Sampling of precious metal materials
Sampling of precious metal materials
(OP)
I am trying to figure out the most specific, scientific way to properly sample materials which contain precious metals. I would like to know what % of the material must be sampled, given at least 95% confidence. I understand that there's no 100% method for sampling; I am looking for maybe a formula I can use, while weighing what I want my confidence level/interval to be.
I work at a plant that recycles materials containing precious metal, so there is a long list of stuff we take on. Sometimes, a customer shipment to us may have 3 or 4 different materials in it, so I want to make sure the sample is representative. I'm trying to tighten up the sampling as part of some initial Six Sigma steps...
I work at a plant that recycles materials containing precious metal, so there is a long list of stuff we take on. Sometimes, a customer shipment to us may have 3 or 4 different materials in it, so I want to make sure the sample is representative. I'm trying to tighten up the sampling as part of some initial Six Sigma steps...





RE: Sampling of precious metal materials
RE: Sampling of precious metal materials
Are you familiar with ASTM standards for specific materials (gold, platinum, etc.) and the methods for determination of their chemical composition? An example is ASTM B562 for gold, which references E1446 for chemical analysis. Take a look at the abstract as well as the references which discuss some of these issues:
http://www.astm.org/Standards/E1446.htm
RE: Sampling of precious metal materials