1.1This guide covers procedures for using the ASTM Standard Reference Blacks2 (SRBs) and the HT and INR Iodine Number Standards to continuously monitor the precision of those carbon black test methods for which reference values have been established. It also offers guidelines for troubleshooting various test methods.

1.2This guide establishes procedures for the use of x-charts to continuously monitor those tests listed in Section 2 for within-lab precision (repeatability) and between-lab accuracy (reproducibility).

1.3This guide provides a statistical procedure for improving test reproducibility when a laboratory cannot physically calibrate its apparatus to obtain the reference values of the ASTM reference blacks, within the ranges given in this guide.