ISO 20579-3:2021

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20579-3
First edition
2021-04
Surface chemical analysis —
Sample handling, preparation and
mounting —
Part 3:
Biomaterials
Analyse chimique des surfaces — Manipulation, préparation et
montage des échantillons —
Partie 3: Biomatériaux
Reference number
©
ISO 2021
© ISO 2021
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ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Abbreviated terms . 2
5 Explanation of the structure of this document . 2
6 General requirements and classes of specimens . 3
6.1 General information . 3
6.2 Handling. 3
6.3 Packaging . 4
6.4 Toxins and other hazardous materials . 4
7 Specimen considerations . 4
7.1 History of the specimen . 4
7.2 Information sought. 4
7.3 Categories of specimen . 4
8 Sources of specimen contamination . 5
8.1 Sample preparation . 5
8.2 Tools . 5
8.3 Sample handling . 5
8.3.1 General. 5
8.3.2 Exposure to gases . 5
8.3.3 Minimize contamination of the analysis area . 6
8.4 Separation between neighbouring areas. 6
9 Specimen storage and transfer of biomaterials . 6
9.1 Storage . 6
9.1.1 Storage time . 6
9.1.2 Descriptive list of containers for biomaterials . 6
9.2 Temperature and humidity . 6
10 Education of specimen owner on appropriate specimen handling procedures .7
11 Specimen mounting procedures of biomaterials . 7
12 Methods for reducing specimen charging . 7
13 Specimen preparation techniques of biomaterials . 7
13.1 Mechanical separation. 7
13.2 Sectioning techniques . 7
13.3 Solvents for biomaterials . 7
13.4 Chemical etching . 7
13.5 Ion sputtering. 7
14 Fracturing, cleaving and scribing . 7
15 Specimen-handling techniques . 8
Bibliography . 9
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
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electrotechnical standardization.
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described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 201, Surface chemical analysis,
Subcommittee SC 2, General procedures.
A list of all parts in the ISO 20579 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Introduction
0.1  Common introduction
The ISO 20579 series is intended to assist analysts and those seeking surface chemical analysis in the
handling, storage, mounting and treatment of specimens. This is a multipart series, with the first two
1)
parts specifying general requirements for reporting of sample handling and storage (ISO 20579-1 ),
1)
and reporting of mounting and treatment of samples (ISO 20579-2 ). The ensuing parts combine any
new requirements of sample handling/storage and/or sample mounting/preparation for classes of new
materials. This document focuses on biomaterials analysis and handling, and ISO 20579-4 focuses on
reporting and handling needs for nano-objects. Each part of this series can be used independently of the
other parts, although the general procedures described in ISO 20579-1 and ISO 20579-2 are applicable
to a wide range of materials and are not reproduced in detail in material-specific sections.
Although primarily prepared for the surface-analysis techniques of Auger electron spectroscopy
(AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), the
methods described in this series will also be applicable to many other surface-sensitive analytical
techniques such as ion-scattering spectrometry, low-energy electron diffraction and electron energy-
loss spectroscopy, where specimen handling can influence surface-sensitive measurements. AES, XPS
and SIMS are sensitive to surface layers that are typically a few nanometers in thickness. Such thin
layers may be subject to severe perturbations caused by specimen handling or surface treatments that
may be necessary prior to introduction into the analytical chamber. Proper handling and preparation of
specimens is particularly critical for dependable analysis. Improper handling of specimens can result in
alteration of the surface composition and unreliable data.
0.2  ISO 20579-3 introduction
This document is specifically intended to assist analysts in the handling, preparation and mounting of
specimens submitted for surface chemical analysis of biomaterials. Applications of synthetic materials
in a body includes metals, ceramics, polymers, glasses, carbons and composite materials. Surface-
analysis techniques such as AES, XPS and SIMS were originally developed for the analysis of inorganic
materials, but the methods described in this document may also be applicable to biomaterials. Many
other surface-sensitive analytical techniques such as ion-scattering spectrometry, low-energy electron
diffraction and electron energy-loss spectroscopy can be applied for specimen analysis. A few examples
of biomaterial applications are artificial hip and knee joints, bone plates for fracture fixation, dental
implants, optical devices (intraocular lenses), heart valves and stents for cardiovascular systems, and
[1],[2]
membrane materials for guided tissue regeneration. More examples are discussed elsewhere .
Specimen handling can influence surface-sensitive measurements. Surface methods for chemical
analysis are sensitive to surface layers that are typically only a few nanometers in thickness. Such thin
[4],[7]
layers may be subject to severe perturbations caused by improper specimen handling or surface
treatments that may be necessary prior to introduction into the analytical chamber. Proper handling
and preparation of specimens is particularly
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