ISO 17034 Certified Platinum Cobalt (Hazen) Colour Reference Standards

Platinum Cobalt (Pt-Co)/Hazen Colour Reference Standards are for routine calibration of colour measuring instruments and verification of test data. Process industries throughout the world use colorimeters for colour control of products such as edible and industrial oils, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings.

Accurate, traceable standards are essential for regulatory compliance. If you don’t start with a precisely calibrated CRM, you cannot have confidence in your data.

The colour of water and wastewater is often evaluated to determine the level of contaminants present and acts as a general water quality indicator. For many years, the term “water-white” was considered a sufficient measurement of solvent colour. Several expressions for defining “water-white” have developed overtime making it clear that a more precise colour standard is needed.

This need has been met using a colorimetric scale method which measures the yellow hue in liquids in comparison to a qualified reference solution. Using UV/Vis spectroscopy, instead of a visual comparison, allows an analyst to determine present impurities more accurately and precisely which is required for near colourless samples. Therefore, it is essential that the quality of the reference materials used match the high-level performance of UV/Vis spectroscopy.

Using the precise starting materials (Potassium chloroplatinate / Cobalt chloride hexahydrate) required by the ASTM method combined with instrument verification methods traceable to NIST, assures credible, repeatable and reliable results.

While different approaches exist in the market for formulating and certifying Pt-Co colour standards, the IV product starts with the right materials, follows the prescribed method, and backs it up with chemical expertise, integrity, and support. It’s how you can stay afloat as water testing methods evolve.