化学试剂储存管理与安全操作规范-实验室必备手册

05/05/2025
by Admin Admin

一、化学试剂的分类与储存要求

  • 常见类别
    • 易燃易爆(如乙醚、丙酮):需防爆冰箱储存,远离火源。
    • 腐蚀性(如浓硫酸、氢氧化钠):塑料柜存放,佩戴防腐蚀手套。
    • 有毒试剂(如氰化物):双人双锁管理,明确标识。
  • 环境控制:温湿度监测(如色谱级试剂需25℃以下避光)。

化学试剂瓶的分类与储存要求

二、安全操作规范

  • 个人防护:实验服、护目镜、防毒面具的选择标准。
  • 应急处理
    • 溅洒处理流程(以酸/碱为例);
    • 火灾应急(CO₂灭火器适用场景)。

三、管理工具推荐

  • 数字化管理:LIMS系统库存追踪;
  • 标签模板:试剂标签(含有效期、CAS号)。(有需要也可联系PRONOVATION化学试剂商城提供通用模板)



2025年化学试剂智能储存安全自查表(完整版) 

*(符合GB/T 27476-2025、ISO 9001:2025最新标准)*

???? 基础信息

  • 实验室名称:________________________
  • 检查日期:_______ 检查人:_______
  • 智能系统ID(选填):_________

????️ 一、环境智能监控

检查项目标准要求是否达标(✅/❌)备注
温度控制冷藏2-8℃ / 常温≤25℃当前:___℃
湿度控制30-60% RH(特殊试剂按MSDS)当前:___%
通风系统VOC<50ppm / 可燃气体<10%LEL传感器校准日期:_____
光照强度光敏感试剂区域≤50 lux当前:___lux
物联网监控覆盖率A类危化品100%实时数据上传平台名称:_________

???? 二、试剂管理

检查项目标准要求是否达标(✅/❌)备注
电子标签(RFID/NFC)100%试剂贴标,含CAS号/二维码MSDS缺失标签数量:___
智能预警系统过期前30天自动提醒对接系统:LIMS/ERP
库存自动化管理存量低于安全阈值自动生成采购单阈值设置:_________
危化品双人双锁易制毒/易制爆试剂独立管控责任人A/B:_________
过期试剂隔离单独存放且标记红色过期数量:___

⚠️ 三、安全设施

检查项目标准要求是否达标(✅/❌)备注
灭火设备全氟己酮自动灭火装置(禁用水/CO₂)上次检测日期:_____
应急冲淋装置10秒内出水,无障碍物阻挡测试记录:_________
AR智能防护眼镜配备率100%,危险提示功能正常故障设备编号:______
机器人应急包含中和剂、吸附垫、AI处置指南最近使用日期:______
急救药品未过期且专人每月检查过期药品:___

???? 四、数据与合规

检查项目标准要求是否达标(✅/❌)备注
区块链存证所有检查记录上链区块链类型:_________
碳足迹管理采购记录包含运输排放数据年度减排目标:___kg
人员培训记录2025年新版安全培训完成率100%未培训人员:_________

???? 检查结果汇总

  • 总检查项:20项
  • 达标项:___项
  • 达标率:___100%
  • AI风险评级:□绿色 □黄色 □红色

整改要求

检查人签字:_________ 审核人签字:_________


您的实验室化学试剂品类日常如何管理易制毒试剂?可以一起讨论下哈~

Innovation in Coal Chemical Analysis Technology: Empowering Clean Production

04/18/2025
by Admin Admin

Under the dual pressures of global energy transition and environmental protection, the coal chemical industry faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As a vital branch of the chemical industry, coal chemical processes such as gasification, coking, and liquefaction provide critical support for diversifying energy structures and industrial raw materials. However, high-quality development in this sector requires breakthroughs in clean production, efficient utilization, and precise detection technologies. Against this backdrop, the upcoming "Online Conference on Integrated Analytical Solutions for Coal Chemical Industry" has garnered significant attention, offering a pivotal opportunity for technological advancement and collaboration.

Industry Challenges and Technological Demands

The core challenge lies in balancing production efficiency with environmental responsibility. Accurate detection of sulfur, nitrogen, and heavy metals in coal and its derivatives is not only crucial for product quality but also essential for achieving green and safe production. For instance, unmonitored harmful residues during coal gasification may corrode equipment or lead to substandard downstream products, while component analysis of coal liquefaction outputs directly impacts fuel performance and environmental compliance. Therefore, efficient and reliable analytical technologies are key drivers for industry upgrading.

Innovative Application of Gas Chromatography in Coal Gas Detection

Conference Highlights: Cutting-Edge Technologies

  1. Breakthroughs in Gas Chromatography (GC)
    Director Xue Huifeng from PetroChina Research Institute will share practical GC applications in petrochemicals. As a cornerstone technology, GC enables rapid composition analysis of gaseous/liquid products, helping optimize parameters and reduce energy consumption. Its high sensitivity and automation provide efficient solutions for trace detection in complex samples.
  2. Anton Paar's Comprehensive Solutions
    Expert Shi Xiaomin from Anton Paar will demonstrate their analytical systems for coal chemical processes. With expertise in viscosity measurement and elemental analysis, Anton Paar's technologies cover full-process detection from raw materials to final products, including coal tar analysis and catalyst evaluation.

Anton Paar's High-Precision Coal Tar Rheology Analysis

Technology-Driven Industry Collaboration

This conference serves as both a technical exchange platform and a bridge for industrial synergy. As a one-stop procurement platform for laboratory reagents and instruments, PRONOVATION focuses on commercializing cutting-edge technologies. We understand that instrument performance and localized services directly impact production efficiency. By integrating global resources, we empower coal chemical enterprises to overcome analytical challenges and enhance competitiveness.

Discussions at the conference will highlight transformative trends, such as intelligent devices reducing manual errors and data-driven systems replacing empirical approaches.

Vision: Building a Green Ecosystem

Under China's "Dual Carbon" goals, the industry must transition toward cleaner and low-carbon operations. Continuous innovation in analytical technologies is not merely technical but a social responsibility. PRONOVATION looks forward to collaborating with technology providers, research institutes, and enterprises to build an efficient, green coal chemical ecosystem through knowledge sharing and resource integration.

About PRONOVATION
As a leading B2B platform for laboratory reagents, instruments, and certified reference materials, PRONOVATION connects global innovations with local needs. We provide reliable analytical equipment, consumables, and technical support to drive sustainable development in the coal chemical industry.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How to select viscometers for coal liquefaction products?

A: Use rotational rheometers for high-pressure viscosity analysis of coal tar.

Q: What's new in heavy metal detection for wastewater?

A: Try XRF rapid screening technology, reducing detection time by 70%.

Comprehensive Guide to High-Purity Reagents: Classification, Standards, and Industrial Applications

04/10/2025
by Admin Admin

1. Definition and Core Value of High-Purity Reagents

High-purity reagents are specialty chemicals with purity levels significantly exceeding "analytical grade" standards. Characterized by ultra-low impurity concentrations (controlled at ppm to ppb levels, 99.95%–99.9999%), these materials are engineered through advanced purification processes. Unlike reference standards that prioritize main component accuracy, high-purity reagents focus on minimizing 22+ critical contaminants (e.g., metal ions, particulate matter), making them indispensable in semiconductor fabrication, optoelectronics, and precision instrumentation.

2. Grading Systems and Quality Control Protocols

Globally recognized "N-number grading" quantifies purity using 9-based scales:

  • 3.5N Grade (99.95%): Total impurities ≤1.5×10⁻²>#/p###
  • 4N Grade (99.99%): Total impurities ≤1.0×10⁻²>#/p###
  • 5N Grade (99.999%): Total impurities ≤1.0×10⁻³>#/p###

Certification requires cutting-edge analytical methods:

  • ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)
  • GD-MS (Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry)
  • LPC (Liquid Particle Counting) compliant with SEMI F73 standards

Classification of high purity reagents

3. Five Major Classifications and Industrial Applications

3.1 Basic High-Purity Chemicals (4N–6N)

  • Components: Metal ingots (e.g., 6N aluminum), oxides (e.g., SiO₂), inorganic salts
  • Applications: Nuclear shielding materials, semiconductor substrates, reference solutions
  • Key Metrics: Main content ≥99.99%, metallic impurities ≤10 ppm

3.2 Ultra-Clean Electronic-Grade Reagents (SEMI Standards)

  • Grades:

    • BV-I: ≤25 particles/ml (0.5 µm), for 1.2 µm IC processes
    • BV-III: ≤5 particles/ml, compatible with 0.18 µm nodes
  • Breakthrough: PRONOVATION’s MOS-grade reagents achieve ≤0.1 ppb metal impurities

3.3 Photoresist Ancillaries

  • Types: Positive/negative resists, DUV/EUV lithography formulations
  • Critical Specs: Moisture ≤1 ppm, ionic contaminants ≤0.5 ppm
  • Innovation: Halogen-free developers for 3D NAND architectures

3.4 CMP Slurries

  • Systems:

    • Abrasives: Colloidal silica (Φ50 nm) / ceria nanoparticles
    • Carriers: pH-stabilized aqueous/organic suspensions
  • Performance: Surface roughness ≤0.1 nm (Ra), defect density ≤0.05/cm²

3.5 Liquid Crystal Materials

  • Categories: TN/STN/TFT-grade monomers (biphenyl, fluorinated cyclohexanes)
  • Purity Requirements:

    • Monomer content ≥99.9>#/p###
    • Ion contamination ≤1 ppb
    • Water content ≤5 ppm
  • Emerging Use: Cholesteric LC sensors for early-stage cancer detection

Cross-industry application scenario fusion diagram

4. Selection Strategies for Industry 4.0

  1. Process Alignment:

    • 300mm wafer fabs require SEMI G5-certified chemicals
    • TFT-LCD production mandates G6+ purity for gate insulator layers
  2. Supply Chain Compliance:

    • Verify ISO 9001/14001/IATF 16949 certifications
    • Prioritize vendors with on-site contamination control labs
  3. Technology Roadmap:

    • Monitor innovations in EUV photoresist strippers (sub-5 nm nodes)
    • Evaluate low-k dielectric CMP slurries for advanced packaging

PRONOVATION’s Competitive Advantages

As a leading chemical supplier, we deliver: 

✅ 2,000+ High-Purity Products with full SEMI/GJB documentation 

✅ In-House Analytical Lab (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited) 

✅ Particle-Free Packaging (Class 1 cleanroom filling) 

✅ Custom Solutions for III-V semiconductors and flexible displays

Contact Us Today for:

  • Free technical consultation with PhD-level chemists
  • Batch-specific COA (Certificate of Analysis) access
  • Sample requests for qualification trials

PRONOVATION Chemical B2B Platform Qingdao Pronovation Technology Co., Ltd. Your Partner in Precision Chemistry Solutions

77 Essential Details for Chemical Lab Management | Compliance Guide & Audit Cases - Pronovation

04/10/2025
by Admin Admin


Introduction

Whether in petrochemical, fine chemical, or materials R&D laboratories, compliance often lies in the details. Even with high-precision equipment and substantial investments, neglecting fundamental management can significantly compromise both result reliability and personnel safety. This article summarizes over 70 common management details in chemical laboratories and provides actionable improvement recommendations to help fortify your lab's "safety防线" (safety defenses) and "data城墙" (data integrity walls).

1. Instrument Management: Precision Starts with Standards

Typical Issues:

  1. Gas chromatograph placed adjacent to large centrifuge causing retention time drift (one petrochemical lab required 12 batch retests)
  2. Uncalibrated pressure vessels leading to minor leaks from failed safety valves
  3. Use of non-explosion-proof pH meters in hazardous areas

Improvement Strategies:

  • Zoning: Maintain ≥5m between vibrating equipment (e.g., grinders, centrifuges) and precision instruments (e.g., spectrometers, chromatographs)
  • Dynamic Calibration: Quarterly verification of critical equipment (e.g., online analyzers) using NIST reference materials
  • Explosion-Proof Triad: ATEX-certified equipment in hazardous zones with hydrogen detectors in gas cylinder areas

Explosion-proof equipment operation

2. Chemical Management: Balancing Safety and Efficiency

Case Study: A dye intermediate lab stored concentrated sulfuric acid with organic amines, causing barrel rupture during summer heat.

Key Protocols:

  1. Storage Segregation: Acids/bases, oxidizers/reducers, organic/inorganic, and solid/liquid separation
  2. Dual-Control for Toxics: Traditional dual-lock plus electronic logs and video records
  3. Emergency Quartet: Chem goggles, eyewash stations, neutralizers (e.g., NaHCO₃), and absorbent pads within immediate reach

3. Environmental Control: The Invisible Guardian of Data Integrity

Common Oversights:

  • VOC testing rooms without positive pressure compromising background levels
  • ±5°C fluctuations in catalyst evaluation labs causing 18% data variation

Optimization:

  • Digital Monitoring: Cloud-connected sensors (e.g., Elpro systems)
  • Three-Tier Ventilation:
    ▶ Local: Fume hood face velocity at 0.5m/s
    ▶ General: ≥8 air changes/hour
    ▶ Emergency: Auto-activation at 25% LEL

4. Reference Materials: The Anchors of Reliable Data

Critical Risks:

  • Boron leaching from glass-stored standards affecting semiconductor tests
  • Expired ASTM reference gas causing 0.3% calorific value errors

Best Practices:

  1. Certificate Verification: Match RM number, validity, and uncertainty to test requirements
  2. Storage Conditions:
    ▶ Volatile standards in -4°C explosion-proof fridge
    ▶ Light-sensitive materials in amber bottles with foil wrapping
  3. Intermediate Checks: Opening verification → Mid-term comparison → Pre-expiry retesting → Residual monitoring

5. Testing Workflow: Closed-Loop Control from Sampling to Reporting

Pain Points:

  • Coal sampling non-compliance with GB/T 19494 causing million-dollar disputes
  • Unspecified sieving methods (dry/wet) in catalyst strength reports

Standardization:

  1. Sampling Protocol: Fixed tools (auto-samplers), trained personnel, set frequency
  2. Data Recording: 8 essential elements including sample ID, method, instrument, environment, calculations, anomalies, reviewer, and revision tracking
  3. Report Security:
    ▶ Paper: Gapped seals + UV ink
    ▶ Digital: Blockchain hashing

Hazardous chemical zoning

6. Compliance Systems: The Laboratory Lifeline

Regulatory Warnings:

  • REACH testing beyond scope leading to EU blacklisting
  • Unupdated CMA address during lab relocation causing suspended accreditation

Compliance Framework:

  1. Dynamic Certification: Standard change alerts via LIMS modules
  2. Competency Matrix: 4D mapping of test items → methods → equipment → authorized signatories
  3. Document Control: Numbering, versioning, change approval, and obsolete material retrieval

Conclusion

Lab management mirrors catalytic reactions - details determine conversion rates. These 77 items aren't criticism but an improvement roadmap. We recommend quarterly self-audits with special focus on:

  • Smart control systems for high-risk chemicals
  • Preventive maintenance for high-pressure equipment
  • Data-production system cross-verification

May every chemical lab professional master both molecular transformations and macro-level management systems.

实验室耗材三维管理体系构建指南:材质特性×应用场景×风险控制

04/10/2025
by Admin Admin

从基础分类到智能管理,系统性解析耗材科学管理路径

一、耗材分类体系的重构逻辑

传统单一维度的分类方式已难以满足现代实验室需求,需建立“材质特性-功能场景-风险等级”三维模型

  1. 材质轴:聚焦化学兼容性与物理耐受性
  2. 功能轴:对应实验方法与技术原理
  3. 风险轴:评估生物危害与操作危险性

实验耗材管理系统界面

二、基于材质特性的科学分级

材质类别关键特性典型耗材举例风险预警点
高分子聚合物耐腐蚀梯度:PTFE>PEEK>PP>PE离心管/冻存盒/微孔板高温变形阈值(PP≤135℃)
硅酸盐制品热稳定性:石英>高硼硅>钠钙玻璃烧杯/培养皿/色谱柱骤变温差耐受性(≤200℃)
金属合金耐腐蚀性:316L不锈钢>304>普通钢镊子/剪刀/样品勺氯离子腐蚀临界值(<25ppm)
复合材质表面特性:亲水/疏水涂层处理低吸附移液吸头/过滤膜溶剂兼容性(避免强酸溶解)

三、功能场景驱动的耗材矩阵

1. 生化实验核心耗材群

  • 细胞培养系
    • 表面处理:TC处理培养瓶 vs 超低吸附板
    • 灭菌规格:γ射线灭菌包装标识体系
  • 分子检测系
    • DNase/RNase-Free认证耗材
    • 防气溶胶密封设计

2. 分析检测专用耗材组

  • 光谱分析类
    • 石英比色皿(UV-Vis适用)
    • 氘灯窗片(FTIR专用)
  • 色谱分离类
    • 固相萃取柱(C18/Phenyl填料)
    • 惰性化进样瓶(VOA认证)

3. 特殊场景耗材系统

  • 极端环境组
    • 深冷冻存管(-196℃液氮兼容)
    • 高压反应容器(PEEK材质,耐压50MPa)
  • 微量操作组
    • 纳米级移液吸头(0.1μl精度)
    • 低滞留PCR管(管壁厚度≤0.2mm)

实验室耗材三维管理模型示意图

四、风险控制维度的智能管理

风险分级管理模型

风险等级管控要点典型耗材智能监控方案
Ⅰ级生物危害/剧毒接触病原微生物采样管双因子认证存取+使用轨迹追踪
Ⅱ级高危化学品存储氢氟酸容器腐蚀传感器+泄漏自动报警
Ⅲ级精密仪器配套耗材质谱专用离子源组件使用次数计数+性能衰减预警
Ⅳ级常规实验耗材玻璃器皿/塑料量筒RFID库存监控+效期提示

智能管理系统功能模块

  1. 材质数据库:收录5000+种耗材物化参数
  2. 兼容性预警:自动识别危险组合(如DMAC溶解PS材质)
  3. 生命周期看板:动态显示耗材使用强度与老化曲线

五、前沿耗材发展趋势

  1. 功能集成化
    • 预装试剂冻干球反应管(免移液操作)
    • 温敏变色标签离心管(温度异常可视化)
  2. 绿色可持续
    • 生物基可降解细胞培养板
    • 再生PET材质试剂瓶
  3. 智能物联化
    • 带FRID芯片的智能冻存盒(自动库存统计)
    • 压力感应移液吸头(实时流量反馈)

实验室试剂采购指南:如何选择可靠的标准物质供应商

04/05/2025
by Admin Admin

一、实验室试剂采购的常见痛点:为何选择供应商至关重要?

实验室试剂的采购直接关系到实验结果的准确性、人员安全及研究成本。然而,许多实验室在采购过程中常面临以下问题:

  1. 纯度与质量不符
    • 案例:某环境检测实验室因采购的色谱纯溶剂含有微量杂质,导致检测数据偏差,项目验收失败。
    • 数据支撑:据《2024中国实验室试剂市场报告》,约23%的实验误差与试剂质量问题直接相关。
  2. 供应商资质缺失
    • 无ISO 9001(质量管理体系)、CNAS(中国合格评定国家认可委员会)认证的供应商,产品溯源困难。
  3. 物流与存储风险
    • 部分试剂需冷链运输(如酶制剂、标准品),普通物流无法满足温控要求,导致活性丧失。
  4. 信息不对称
    • 中小实验室难以快速获取供应商的真实评价与历史合作记录,依赖熟人推荐,效率低下。

二、核心筛选标准:5步锁定合规供应商

标准1:资质认证与文件齐全
  • 必查项
    • ISO 9001(质量管理体系认证)
    • CNAS认可(针对检测类试剂)
    • 危险化学品经营许可证(若涉及危化品)
  • 文件要求
    • 提供COA(质量分析证书)、MSDS(化学品安全技术说明书)
    • 示例:某生物医药企业要求供应商随货提供第三方检测报告,确保试剂符合USP(美国药典)标准。
标准2:行业口碑与历史合作案例
  • 通过行业协会、学术会议或B2B平台(如pnlabmall)查看供应商的客户评价与成功案例。
  • 警惕“零差评”供应商,需结合多维度信息交叉验证。
标准3:仓储与物流能力
  • 特殊试剂需确认:
    • 是否具备恒温仓库(如-20℃冷藏、避光存储)
    • 合作物流是否支持专业运输(如干冰配送、防震包装)
标准4:灵活的采购与服务模式
  • 支持小批量采购(满足科研需求)
  • 提供技术咨询(如试剂配制建议、替代方案)
标准5:价格透明度与合规性
  • 避免“低价陷阱”,需对比同类产品的市场均价(如NIST标准物质价格波动范围)。

三、案例分析:优质供应商如何规避实验风险

案例背景: 某高校化学实验室因采购未标注浓度的“基准级”盐酸,导致学生实验时发生中和反应失控,险些引发灼伤事故。

解决方案

  1. 实验室转向pnlabmall平台筛选供应商,要求提供CNAS认证及批次检测报告。
  2. 选择具备“危险化学品专营资质”的供应商,明确标注浓度误差范围(±0.5%)。
  3. 平台提供物流追踪与到货验收指导,确保试剂包装密封性。

结果: 后续3批次采购均无质量问题,实验数据稳定性提升15%。

四、B2B平台如何赋能高效采购?

pnlabmall为例,平台通过以下功能帮助用户降低风险:

  1. 智能筛选系统
    • 根据试剂类型(如色谱级、分析级)、资质标签(ISO、CNAS)快速过滤供应商。
  2. 透明化信息展示
    • 供应商主页公示认证文件、客户评价及历史交易数据。
  3. 一站式服务
    • 支持在线签订质量协议,提供第三方检测预约服务。
    • 物流状态实时更新,异常情况自动预警(如温控失效)。
  4. 售后保障
    • 质量问题可追溯至具体批次,平台介入协商退换货。

五、行动建议:实验室采购的3个关键动作

  1. 建立供应商白名单
    • 定期审核现有供应商,优先合作平台推荐的高评分企业。
  2. 强化到货验收流程
    • 制定试剂验收清单(包装完整性、COA核对、快速检测)。
  3. 利用平台工具降本
    • 通过pnlabmall“批量询价”功能获取最优报价,节省比价时间。


结语: 实验室试剂采购绝非简单的“比价下单”,而是需要系统性风险评估与供应商管理。通过严控资质、善用B2B平台工具,实验室可大幅降低隐性成本,为科研与生产筑牢安全防线。

Global Green Chemical Trends 2025: Innovation and sustainable solutions for PRONOVATION under carbon-neutral policies

03/17/2025
by Admin Admin
Interpretation of the Global Green Chemical Industry Trends in 2025: Innovation under Carbon Neutrality Policies and PRONOVATION's Sustainable Solutions

1. Transformation of the Chemical Industry Driven by Carbon Neutrality Policies 

 In 2025, major global economies are accelerating their carbon neutrality goals. China’s "Dual Carbon" policy (carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060) and the EU’s European Green Deal explicitly demand emission reductions in the chemical industry. According to authoritative analyses , investments in green chemical technologies are growing at an annual rate exceeding 15%, with bio-based materials significantly replacing traditional petrochemical feedstocks. Companies must achieve low-carbon practices across the entire supply chain—from raw material procurement and production processes to waste management—with laboratories, as the source of technological innovation, becoming the core driver of industry transformation.

Global carbon neutrality policy map in 2025, green chemistry solutions

2. Eco-Friendly Chemical Reagents and Laboratory Sustainability

Amid tightening global regulations (e.g., the EU REACH Regulation’s continuous updates to restricted substance lists), laboratories are compelled to transition to low-toxicity and biodegradable reagents. The PRONOVATION Marketplace rigorously screens products based on the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, offering eco-friendly solutions such as halogen-free solvents and water-based cleaning agents, alongside third-party testing reports for compliance verification.

PRONOVATION eco-friendly reagents in laboratory carbon reduction

3. PRONOVATION’s One-Stop Green Procurement Services

The platform integrates policy insights and supply chain resources:

  • Smart Screening System: Rapidly identifies compliant products via tags like “Low VOC” and “Biodegradability”;
  • Customized Solutions: Successfully assisted a biopharmaceutical company in bulk procurement of eco-friendly reagents, achieving a 15% cost reduction through supply chain optimization;
  • Policy Guidance: Regularly publishes regulatory updates, including actionable strategies for China’s List of Key Controlled New Pollutants.

PRONOVATION intelligent platform for green chemical procurement

Certified Reference Material Frequently PRONOVATION Questions

03/04/2025
by Admin Admin
Common Questions about Certified Reference Material Certification

Cantact Us


Q: I have received my PRONOVATION reference Standard and certificate. What do these numbers represent?

A: "Average" is the average derived from all data points (n= number of points or tests). The normal mean square error or one sigma deviation is the "estimate" change we see from test comparisons at the 68% confidence level. The spread or two sigma deviation is the change in the estimate tested at the 95% confidence level.


Q: What numbers should I use and how should I use them?

A: The average or average is the value that you plug in the instrument and strive to maintain the most accurate measurement. You should discuss with your quality manager the accuracy you should maintain in your inspections. Most use 95% confidence. Some standards are less stringent, allowing 3 sigma or 99.7% confidence. Some are more stringent and will stick to 1 sigma or even less.

We believe that if all is well with your analyzer, you have calibrated to the mean and should immediately run the reference standard to make it accurate within the extended 95% confidence range, or even closer to the 68%1 sigma level. If your inspection exceeds or drifts beyond the 95% level, it may be time for a recalibration.


Q: The certificate says "use methods to amplify uncertainty when necessary." What does that mean?

A: While the company uses different analyzers and multiple reference comparisons to establish the most accurate values we can, our information is only a snapshot of material properties and test method capabilities. The Test Method (ASTM) cited on the certificate has developed "Precision and accuracy" tables or calculations based on inter-laboratory studies (ILS). These are more accurate examples of how your test method should behave.


Q: Does lower deviation mean better standards?

A: Not necessarily. While it may represent some part of the homogeneity of the material, there are many variables that need to be examined. Items such as multiple reference standards used, number of test points, different manufacturers of instruments, and different test methods are a few of the factors that affect the deviation results. This is why ASTM or other test methods evaluated by ILS are a more accurate methodological specific description of the test and its capabilities. Ultimately, you can only perform within the capabilities of your test instruments and methods. This means that to maintain stricter deviations, you need to check and calibrate more frequently.


Q: There is no uncertainty in my standard, or it is lower/higher than I can realistically stick to. What should I do?

A: The standard may be older, or they use a very different test method than yours (e.g. by weight, volume, titration, or mass spectrometer). Due to the method or means of determining the value, their accuracy and your accuracy may differ greatly. We recommend that you refer to ASTM or the Test Method Accuracy and Accuracy Table (Repeatability and repeatability) to help determine realistic uncertainties that need to be maintained.


Q: My reference standard is 0.500% and I want to measure the sample at 0.005%. Is that a good comparison?

A: No. The detection system of the instruments used by the company is not really linear, but quadratic. When we calibrate, we are linear only on part of the conic. This is why we strive to develop the most accurate tests using references with similar materials and concentrations.


Q: What is drift and why does my analyzer deviate from the true value?

A: The instrument has many variables that affect the test results. Changes in flow due to dust, leaks, or chemical reagent changes are only part of the story. How good maintenance, calibration and quality checks keep testing at the highest level.


Q: My 1g steel needle is certified at 70ppm±8ppm, and my 0.1g titanium is certified at 70ppm±24ppm, both with 95% confidence. Why is there a big difference?

A: The response of the instrument to a sample that weighs 10 times less is reflected in the deviation. Your instrument has an optimal detection window. The 1g steel sample provided a strong signal response, with much less variation compared to a sample with a "peak response" that was 10 times smaller. The more you deviate from the optimal detection range, the wider your relative mean square error (RSD) becomes. This is also why PRONOVATION makes similar comparisons in terms of material type, sample size and concentration.

To calculate RSD:

8ppm/70ppm*100=11.43%RSD (1g steel needle)

24ppm/70ppm*100=34.29%RSD (0.1g titanium needle)

Another example: 1g steel needle 730ppm±20ppm (20ppm/730ppm*100=2.74%RSD)


Q: The statistical K-factor is 2.1; Does that mean it is 2.1 sigma and greater than 95% confidence?

A: No, the extended uncertainty is still at 95% confidence. The K-value is the unique symmetric unbiased estimator of a statistical distribution. When everything is perfect in the world of chemical test data, k will equal 2. Factors such as rounding, instrument sensitivity capability (%RSD), data flyers (distribution symmetry), and homogeneity contribute to the calculation of mean square error and extended uncertainty.

For example:
The mean concentration is 0.00060>#br### A mean square error =±0.000147%=k=1,68% confidence =1σ
Two standard deviations =±0.000294=k=2,95% confidence =2σ
By rounding to a significant number:
Mean =0.0006>#br### A mean square error =±0.0001>#br###