Description
Tungsten Carbide Reference Standard | Certified Cobalt & Tantalum | XRF Sample Cup or Bulk Powder
NIST SRM 888 is a cemented carbide certified reference material (CRM) designed for chemical analysis verification, instrument performance monitoring, and analytical quality control of tungsten carbide materials containing cobalt and tantalum.
Featuring certified concentrations of 24.7% cobalt (Co) and 4.77% tantalum (Ta), this reference material provides a reliable benchmark for laboratories, carbide manufacturers, scrap metal recyclers, and industrial quality control departments analyzing specialized tungsten carbide alloys.
Alloy Geek offers NIST SRM 888 in two configurations: a prepared XRF sample cup for convenient X-ray fluorescence testing or a 100 g bulk powder jar for laboratories requiring additional material for sample preparation and chemical analysis.
Whether you're verifying cobalt and tantalum concentrations with a handheld XRF analyzer, evaluating measurement accuracy with a benchtop XRF system, or establishing laboratory quality control procedures, SRM 888 provides certified elemental values in a tungsten-rich carbide matrix.
Available Sample Configurations
Prepared XRF Sample Cup
Designed for convenient testing with compatible handheld and benchtop XRF analyzers, this option contains NIST SRM 888 powder prepared in an XRF sample cup.
- Prepared for routine XRF verification and quality control
- Certified cobalt and tantalum concentrations
- Convenient for monitoring analytical repeatability
- Helps minimize routine handling of loose carbide powder
- Suitable for carbide scrap recycling, manufacturing, and laboratory applications
- Practical for routine instrument performance checks
The prepared XRF sample cup is particularly useful for facilities analyzing tungsten carbide cutting tools, industrial inserts, hardmetal alloys, and specialized cobalt-bonded carbide materials.
100 g Bulk Powder Jar
For laboratories requiring larger quantities or specialized sample preparation, SRM 888 is also available as a 100 g bulk powder jar.
- Fine cemented carbide powder
- Suitable for preparation of multiple analytical samples
- Supports laboratory XRF specimen preparation
- Useful for chemical analysis and method development
- Ideal for repeated testing and laboratory quality assurance
- Allows sample preparation according to established analytical procedures
Select your preferred configuration before adding the product to your cart.
Certified Chemical Composition
NIST SRM 888 is a tungsten carbide-based reference material containing cobalt as a binder constituent and tantalum as an additional alloying element.
The material is designated W64-Co25-Ta5, representing its nominal tungsten, cobalt, and tantalum composition.
| Element | Concentration (% by Weight) | Certification Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cobalt (Co) | 24.7 | Certified |
| Tantalum (Ta) | 4.77 | Certified |
| Carbon (C) | 4.6 | Informational |
| Tungsten (W) | Principal Matrix Constituent | Not Separately Certified |
Important: Cobalt and tantalum are the certified elements in SRM 888. Carbon is reported for informational purposes and does not represent a certified concentration. The tungsten content is reflected in the nominal material designation but is not separately certified.
For complete certified values, measurement uncertainties, and supporting analytical information, refer to the NIST Certificate of Analysis.
XRF Verification for Tungsten Carbide Alloys
Accurate measurements of cobalt and tantalum are important when analyzing specialized cemented carbide materials.
Cobalt is commonly used as a metallic binder in tungsten carbide products, while tantalum-containing carbide phases can be incorporated to modify the performance characteristics of certain industrial cutting tools and wear-resistant materials.
The certified elemental concentrations in SRM 888 make it useful for checking XRF measurement performance in high-cobalt, tantalum-containing carbide materials.
Common XRF Applications:
- Verify cobalt measurements in tungsten carbide alloys
- Verify tantalum measurements in cemented carbide materials
- Monitor handheld and benchtop XRF analyzer performance
- Evaluate measurement repeatability and consistency
- Support quality assurance procedures for carbide manufacturing
- Check analytical performance before testing production samples
- Compare measurement results across compatible XRF instruments
- Support analytical method verification and routine quality control
Unlike reference materials containing only certified cobalt, SRM 888 provides certified concentrations for two analytically important elements in a tungsten-rich matrix.
This makes it a useful addition to reference material collections used for evaluating carbide alloy measurement performance.
Applications in Tungsten Carbide Recycling
Tungsten carbide recycling operations frequently encounter materials with different binder compositions and specialized carbide additions.
Accurate identification of cobalt and tantalum can help recyclers distinguish material categories, evaluate incoming scrap, and improve sorting consistency.
SRM 888 is well suited for XRF quality control programs involving:
- Tungsten Carbide Cutting Inserts
- High-Cobalt Cemented Carbide Alloys
- Tantalum-Containing Carbide Grades
- Industrial Cutting Tools
- Tungsten Carbide Scrap
- Specialized Hardmetal Components
- Carbide Manufacturing Materials
- Wear-Resistant Industrial Components
Facilities processing mixed carbide scrap can use SRM 888 as a reference material when evaluating analyzer performance for both cobalt and tantalum measurements.
Laboratory Analysis and Quality Control
In addition to routine XRF testing, the bulk powder configuration supports laboratories performing chemical and instrumental analysis of cemented carbide materials.
Potential applications include:
- Analytical Method Development
- Laboratory Quality Assurance
- Instrument Performance Verification
- Interlaboratory Measurement Comparisons
- Sample Preparation Procedure Evaluation
- Chemical Analysis of Tungsten Carbide Materials
- Verification of Cobalt and Tantalum Measurements
The powder can be prepared using appropriate laboratory techniques, including pressed-powder preparation, fusion, or chemical digestion where compatible with the analytical method.
SRM 888 is especially useful where a reference material containing certified tantalum is required in addition to cobalt.
Material Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Reference Material | NIST SRM 888 |
| Material Description | Cemented Carbide |
| Material Designation | W64-Co25-Ta5 |
| Matrix | Tungsten Carbide / Cobalt / Tantalum |
| Physical Form | Fine Powder |
| Certified Elements | Cobalt (Co), Tantalum (Ta) |
| Certified Cobalt Concentration | 24.7% |
| Certified Tantalum Concentration | 4.77% |
| Informational Carbon Concentration | 4.6% |
| Available Configurations | Prepared XRF Sample Cup / 100 g Bulk Powder Jar |
| Primary Application | XRF Verification and Analytical Quality Control |
| Reference Documentation | NIST Certificate of Analysis |
Certificate of Analysis
NIST SRM 888 is supported by a Certificate of Analysis issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The certificate documents certified elemental concentrations, associated measurement uncertainties, and supporting certification information for the reference material.
Certified Elements:
- Cobalt (Co): 24.7% by Weight
- Tantalum (Ta): 4.77% by Weight
These values provide recognized reference points for verifying elemental measurements in tungsten-rich cemented carbide materials.
Important XRF Testing Considerations
SRM 888 is a powdered reference material rather than a solid metal calibration block. XRF measurement results can be affected by sample preparation, particle size, specimen thickness, X-ray film, instrument calibration, and measurement geometry.
For prepared XRF sample cups, testing should be performed using appropriate instrument methods and consistent measurement conditions.
The certified concentrations apply to the reference material itself. Preparation in an XRF sample cup does not constitute independent certification of the assembled sample cup.
Carbon cannot be directly measured using conventional handheld XRF analyzers. The informational carbon concentration may be useful for laboratories employing other analytical techniques.
Why Buy Your XRF Reference Materials from Alloy Geek?
Alloy Geek specializes in handheld XRF analyzers, certified reference materials, instrument accessories, and analytical testing applications.
Our prepared XRF reference materials provide a convenient solution for customers who need certified composition standards for routine instrument verification without the additional work of handling and preparing loose powder.
Whether you're analyzing carbide scrap with a handheld XRF analyzer or performing laboratory quality control with a benchtop system, Alloy Geek provides reference materials selected for practical analytical applications.
Choose the prepared XRF sample cup for convenient routine testing or the bulk powder jar for flexible laboratory sample preparation.
Order NIST SRM 888 today to support reliable cobalt and tantalum measurements in tungsten carbide analysis.