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1.1 This specification covers the chemical and physical quality specifications or requirements, or both, for Industry Reference Materials (IRMs) as cited in Practice D4678 and other standards.

1.2 IRMs, as evaluated and referenced in Practice D4678, are vitally important to conduct product, specification, and development testing in the rubber and carbon black industries.

1.3 Before a new lot of material can be accepted as an IRM, it must comply with the specifications prescribed in this specification. However, these specifications are only part of the requirements. Other requirements as given in Practice D4678 shall be met before a candidate material can be formally accepted as an IRM.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

3.1 IRMs are vitally important in product and specification testing, in research and development work, in technical service work, and in quality control operations in the rubber and carbon black industries. They are especially valuable for referee purposes. Many ASTM rubber standards for the evaluation of natural or synthetic rubber require the use of specific IRMs in their test recipes for better laboratory repeatability and reproducibility.

3.2 New material lots that have been selected as candidates for IRM approval shall conform to the appropriate specifications given in this standard and meet requirements given in Practice D4678 before the lots may be accepted as IRMs.

3.3 The chemical and physical IRM specifications shown will ensure some consistency in IRM properties from one lot to the next. However, the specifications cannot ensure exact inter-lot consistency.