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  6. Inorganic Reference Materials

Certified reference materials and suitability testing are key tools in ensuring the correctness of analysis results.

The division Inorganic Reference Materials produces Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for chemical analyses in the field of iron and steel (EURONORM CRMs) and for analyses of non-ferrous metals (and alloys thereof) along with ceramics and glasses. In doing so, we cooperate closely with national and international partners. We also supply Certified Reference Materials for the chemical analysis of soils, woods and recycled materials.

In the field of inorganic environmental analysis, we conduct regular round robin tests to evaluate the competence of testing laboratories. The division's employees also operate on national and international standardisation committees (DIN, CEN and ISO) to enable the standardisation of analysis techniques.

  • Fields of expertise

    • Production of metallic and non-metallic Certified Reference Materials in line with ISO Guidelines 34 and 35
    • Development and optimisation of inorganic analytical techniques
    • Determination of primary, secondary and trace components in inorganic materials
    • Performance of round robin tests to validate techniques and evaluate the competence of chemical analysis laboratories
    • Accredited as a testing laboratory in accordance with ISO/IEC 17015

  • Main activities

    • Certification of inorganic reference materials
      - Iron and steel
      - Non-ferrous metals
      - High-performance ceramics and glasses
      - Soils, waste and recycled materials
    • Cooperation on standardisation committees (ISO, CEN, DIN)
    • Organisation of round robin tests
    • Cooperation on national and international committees and associations
    • Research and method development (e.g. in the field of direct solids analysis)
    • Analysis services
    • Training of chemical laboratory personnel

  • Range of services/technical equipment

    The following equipment is available:

    • ICP mass spectrometry
    • Glow discharge mass spectrometry
    • ICP optical emission spectrometry
    • Spark emission spectrometry
    • Atomic absorption spectrometry (flame, hydride generation, graphite furnace)
    • Analyser for mercury analysis
    • UV/VIS spectrometry
    • Continuous flow analysis for cyanide determination
    • Analysis of carbon, sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen components by means of combustion and carrier gas hot extraction
    • Precision titration
    • Gravimetric analysis
    • Digestion and extraction apparatus
    • Technical centre for the mechanical treatment of solid samples (mills, sieving machines, mixers and sample dividers)
Dr. rer. nat. Sebastian Recknagel, Head of Division Inorganic Reference Materials, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)

Contact Dr. rer. nat. Se­bas­tian Reck­nagel

Head of Division 1.6

Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11
12489 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 8104-1111

Email: Sebastian.Recknagel@bam.de