Bureau of Analysed Samples
A Trusted Name in Iron and Steel Reference Materials
Bureau of Analysed Samples (BAS) is one of the most established producers of iron- and steel-based reference materials for the global metals industry. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1935, BAS has supported laboratories for more than eighty years with high-quality materials used in chemical and spectroscopic analysis of metals and alloys.
Today BAS forms part of the Goodfellow Reference Materials portfolio, bringing its long-standing expertise in steel and iron-based reference materials into Goodfellow's global materials platform.
BAS materials are widely used by laboratories performing elemental analysis, instrument calibration, and analytical quality control in sectors including steelmaking, foundry operations, aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and materials research.
Collaborative Development and Analytical Confidence
A defining feature of BAS reference materials is their collaborative analytical development. Materials are produced under the guidance of an Honorary Advisory Committee and supported by a network of approximately 150 cooperating analysts from independent laboratories, manufacturers, and end users.
This interlaboratory approach provides robust statistical validation of certified values and ensures the analytical reliability required for calibration and verification in demanding industrial environments.
BAS materials have historically played a central role in the development of British Chemical Standard (BCS) reference materials and have contributed to European initiatives such as EURONORM certified reference materials for the iron and steel industry.
Materials and Applications
The BAS portfolio supports a wide range of metallurgical analysis workflows and includes materials suitable for both chemical and spectroscopic techniques.
Typical Formats
- Finely divided materials (chips and powders) used in wet chemical analysis
- Solid reference materials (discs and blocks) optimised for spectroscopic methods such as optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
- Setting-up Samples (SUS) used for routine instrument standardisation and monitoring
Matrices Covered
- Plain carbon steels
- Low-alloy and high-alloy steels
- Cast irons
- Ferro-alloys
- Selected non-ferrous alloys, ores, slags, and ceramic materials
In addition to Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), BAS also provides Reference Materials (RMs) for method development, comparative testing, and routine analytical quality control.
Quality Systems and Accreditation
BAS maintains robust quality and competency systems for the production and supply of reference materials.
ISO 17034:2016
Competence of reference material producers. First achieved in 2006, transitioned to ISO 17034 in 2018.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality management systems, reinforcing BAS's long-standing commitment to internationally recognised quality standards.
BAS Today — Part of Goodfellow
Since joining Goodfellow, BAS continues to contribute its expertise in ferrous reference materials while benefiting from Goodfellow's global infrastructure and materials science capabilities.
Through this integration, laboratories can now access BAS materials alongside a broader portfolio of reference materials for ferrous and non-ferrous analysis, supported by Goodfellow's international distribution and technical support.
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