What is this BS EN 14726 – Spark OES for aluminium about?
BS EN 14726 discusses aluminium and aluminium alloys from a perspective of chemical composition testing. BS EN 14726 describes the criteria and procedure for analyzing aluminium and aluminium alloys with spark optical emission spectrometry (spark OES) along with sample preparation, operational guidelines for an optical emission spectrometer, traceability of the analytical results to the international system of units, and assessing the uncertainty associated with each analytical result.
In spark OES, a small portion of the sample is thermally vapourized through the erosion of an electric spark. In the spark discharge, the aerosol is vapourized, partially ionized, and excited to emit optical radiation. The characteristic radiation of each element is used in spark OES for its detection and quantitative determination.
Who is BS EN 14726 - Spark OES for aluminium for?
BS EN 14726 on spark OES for aluminium is useful for:
- Aluminium / aluminium alloy product manufacturers
- Testing laboratories
- Research and development personnel
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use BS EN 14726 - Spark OES for aluminium?
Spark OES is suitable for determining the chemical composition of alloys before the manufacturing or casting processes. In these cases, samples are taken from the liquid metal at different stages of the casting process. Spark OES is also used to determine the chemical composition of final products.
The method covered by is primarily for the analysis of aluminium or aluminium alloy chill cast solid samples, as described in EN 14361, although other sample forms are acceptable.
BS EN 14726 covers information about sample preparation along with traceability of the analytical results to the International System of units i.e., mass(kg). BS EN 14726 gives operational guidelines for an OES that includes maintenance. BS EN 14726 discusses the assessment of the uncertainty associated with each analytical result.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 14726:2019 supersedes BS EN 14726:2005, which is withdrawn. BS EN 14726:2019 includes some technical and editorial changes with respect to BS EN 14726:2005.
These include:
- A new scope
- Updated Normative references
- Reorganization of the standard to respect the template used for the determination of chemical composition
- New items added in the test report clause (Clause 13)
- New Annexes B, C, D, and E

