ASTM E3264-21
Standard Guide for Homogeneity of Samples and Reference Materials Used for Inter- and Intra-Laboratory Studies

Standard No.

ASTM E3264-21

Release Date

2021

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM E3264-21

Scope

1.1 This guide presents techniques and guidance for evaluating and assuring homogeneity of individual samples and bulk materials used for interlaboratory and intra-laboratory studies. 1.2 This guide is applicable to samples and reference materials used for proficiency testing programs and for interlaboratory studies to determine precision estimates for test methods. It may also be useful for activities related to quality control of testing within a single laboratory. 1.3 Five techniques are presented for assessing sample homogeneity. The five techniques are not an exhaustive list of available techniques for assessing homogeneity of samples, but the techniques were chosen to cover a range of circumstances (and various degrees of rigor required) for laboratory studies of various types and purposes. 1.4 Each of the first four techniques provides a scheme for testing for homogeneity and a statistical procedure for evaluating the results of the homogeneity testing. The circumstances are described for which each of the techniques is suited. 1.5 For circumstances when homogeneity testing is not possible, the fifth technique provides guidance for producing homogeneous samples. 1.6 The appendixes of this guide provide example spreadsheets for Techniques 1, 2, 3, and 4. 1.7 This guide is not intended for evaluation of certified reference materials (CRMs) or materials used for calibration. 1.8 Units—The system of units for this standard is not specified. Dimensional quantities in the standard are presented only as illustrations of calculation methods. The examples are not binding on products or test methods treated. 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM E3264-21 Referenced Document

• ASTM C1128 Standard Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
• ASTM C33/C33M Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates*， 2023-08-01 Update
• ASTM D5956 Standard Guide for Sampling Strategies for Heterogeneous Wastes
• ASTM D6299 Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance*， 2023-07-01 Update
• ASTM D7915 Standard Practice for Application of Generalized Extreme Studentized Deviate (GESD) Technique to Simultaneously Identify Multiple Outliers in a Data Set*， 2022-05-01 Update
• ASTM E105 Standard Practice for Probability Sampling Of Materials*， 2024-04-21 Update
• ASTM E1402 Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling
• ASTM E178 Standard Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations
• ASTM E2282 Standard Guide for Defining the Test Result of a Test Method*， 2023-11-01 Update
• ASTM E456 Standard Terminology for Relating to Quality and Statistics
• ASTM E691 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• ISO 13528 Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison*， 2022-08-18 Update
• ISO 3534 Statistics — Vocabulary and symbols

ASTM E3264-21 history

• 2021 ASTM E3264-21 Standard Guide for Homogeneity of Samples and Reference Materials Used for Inter- and Intra-Laboratory Studies