Reply #26: You are interpreting here...

[Carefulplease]

You are right that NIST knows what "representative" means, either formally or informally.

NIST never said that their sample was representative of heat exposures. However they did say that it was *not* representative. Their only uses of "representative" are found is statements that the samples are representative (informally) of the types, grades and classes of steel used in the construction -- in cases where they collected all or most of them. Or they say, repeatedly, that the samples are *not* representative (formally) of heat exposure or some types of failure modes when the sample size is too small or the collection method is obviously biased (because they looked specifically for such items) or skewed (because such items were less likely to be found or retained -- e.g. there were often confounding factors or the severe damage impaired the analysis)