ISO 4496:2017 specifies methods for determining, in iron, copper, tin and bronze powders, the approximate content of non-metallic materials which are insoluble in the ordinary mineral acids.

The insoluble matter referred to is generally considered to be acid-insoluble silica and silicates, carbides, alumina, clays or other refractory oxides which are either present in the raw material from which the powders are manufactured or introduced during the manufacturing process.