ABCT 3631 Metrology and Calibration

(19 Sep 2022)

Metrological Traceability
• Property of a measurement result or standard value
whereby it can be to ,
usually , through
an , all having

• When a result is from a ,

it is to that value.
to common references allows
between

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 in Measurement
applicable from to

• Areas that measurements are needed include

– Quality control ( ) and quality assurance ( ) in

– Measurement and testing for

– Measurement and testing
of
– Measurements associated with the and

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 in Measurement
analytical are essential to making

• A key property of good results is

– provided by to a consistent and agreed set of
measurement – for measurement
– e.g. and of volumetric solutions,
including their to SI Units
– essential to and
in measurement including
chemical measurement

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 in Measurement
Obtained directly or indirectly by measurement

a length measurement by a ruler

a mass measured using a balance

e.g. based on the spring extension which is directly measured
• Convert into
using a measurement model involving and
• For example, equals to divided by
𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 𝑚𝑚
𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 = ; ( 𝑉𝑉 = )
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝜌𝜌
• Knowing from calibration table, and from the balance
reading that is by measurement, enables to be determined

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 Summary of basic principles
• Specifying the *, and
the
• Choosing a suitable method of estimating the value with
+
+
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥1 , 𝑥𝑥2 , … 𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚 ) � 𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚+1, 𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚+2… 𝑥𝑥𝑛𝑛
is calculated from 𝑥𝑥1…… 𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚 using a relationship of which is
valid under specified by 𝑥𝑥𝑚𝑚+1,… 𝑥𝑥𝑛𝑛

*quantity intended to be measured

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 Summary of basic principles
• Demonstrating, through , that the
include
the (𝑥𝑥1 to 𝑥𝑥𝑛𝑛 ) that
the , or
• Identifying the of each

• Choosing and

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 Summary of basic principles
Define measurand Select appropriate references
to establish traceability of
values of quantities in
Decide references and
measurement function
units for measurement result
(e.g. mgkg-1, mmolL-1)
Consider traceability of
other significant influence
Define target
quantities
measurement uncertainty for
the measurement result
Calibrate equipment
used to measure quantities
Choose test method

Analyse test sample

Establish
measurement function and
validate test method Record result, uncertainty and
traceability

Ref: Barwick & Wood, J of Anal At Spectrom, 2010, 25 785

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 Example of Establishing Traceability -
Preparation of a Cd calibration standard
• Specify the and
with a concentration of
(defined at ) with a required combined standard
uncertainty of or smaller
to prepare the calibration
standard
– Clean the metal surface
– Weigh metal
– Dissolve and dilute
– Result
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 Preparation of a Cd calibration standard

• The of the standard is calculated from

1000 . 𝑚𝑚 . 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = mgL-1
𝑉𝑉
where
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 : concentration of the calibration standard (mgL-1)
1000 : conversion factor from (mL) to (L)
: mass of the high purity metal (mg)
: purity of the metal given as mass fraction ( )
: volume of the liquid of the calibration standard (mL)
• Values to be

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 Preparation of a Cd calibration standard

the of EACH

– mass, purity, volume

– temperature
• Choosing and applying appropriate references
• Estimating the uncertainty

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 ISO 17025:2017 - General requirements for the
competence of testing and calibration laboratories

6.5.2 The lab shall ensure that measurement results are

to the International System of Units [ ] through
….
6.5.3 When metrological traceability to the SI units is
, the lab shall
to an , e.g. :
– certified values of provided by a
competent producer
– results of , specified
methods or consensus standards – results
and ensured by suitable comparison

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 Standard substances for

• must be
(preferably at 110-120°C), and in
pure state
• should maintain its
during storage and during
• should be capable of being
by tests of known sensitivity
(impurities <0.01% - 0.02%)
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 Standard Substances

– 0.05 M Potassium hydrogen phthalate KHC8H5O4

solution,
its pH = 4.00 at 20°C
– 0.01M Borax Na2B4O7.10H2O solution,
its pH = 9.23 at 20°C
– Na2CO3

– KH(IO3)2, KIO3

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Standard Substances

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 Metrology in Chemistry (MiC)
• Study of comparability and traceability of chemical
measurements to ensure reliability of test results

– traceability through unbroken chain of measurements

to the mole or other internationally recognized
references
• Current aspects of interest
– standard test method validated by collaborative study
• mainly for establishing comparability
– certified reference material
• mainly for establishing traceability
– proficiency test programme
• mainly for establishing comparability
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 Organization of MiC
• International
– Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance –
Metrology in Chemistry (CCQM)
• under CIPM: establish international equivalence of NMI/DIs
• National/Economy
– National Metrology Institute/Designated Institute (NMI/DI)
• Hong Kong: Government Laboratory (DI)
• capability established through participating in inter-comparisons
• promote MiC to field laboratories
– field laboratories
• reference material producer
• proficiency test provider
• calibration laboratory
• testing laboratory

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Thank you!

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