Chemical Analysis Techniques

Chemical analyses on metals and materials are available using the following techniques:
  • Optical Emission Spectroscopy
  • Combustion (LECO) for C & S
  • Atomic Absorption
Surface analyses are available by SEM/EDS.
 
Test Sample Materials Detection Limits
Optical Emission Spectroscopy
(OES)
Solid samples.

Min. diameter 12mm
Min. thickness 0.5mm
Iron, aluminium, copper, nickel and cobalt-based alloys >0.0002%, depending on element and sample.

Elements include:
Ag, Al, As, B, Bi, C, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Si, Sn, Te, Ti, V, W, Zn, Zr.
Combustion
(LECO)
Solid samples, turnings or powders.

Minimum weight 5g
Ferrous alloys C : 0.0002% to 10.0%
S : 0.0002% to 1.0%
Atomic Absorption Solid samples, turnings, powders or solutions.

Minimum weight 10g
Ferrous alloys
Non-ferrous alloys
Inorganic materials
>0.0005%, depending on element and sample.

Elements include:
Ag, Al, As, B, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sb, Si, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Ti, V, W, Zn, Zr.
SEM/EDS Solid samples or powders.

Very small samples possible.
Ferrous alloys
Non-ferrous alloys
Inorganic materials
>0.1%, depending on element and sample.

Elements with atomic number ≥ 5
X-ray Diffraction Solid samples or powders. Crystalline solids >1.0%, depending on phase and sample.

 

Standards

E34-94(1998) Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum-Base Alloys
ASTM E350-95(2000)e1 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel, Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and Wrought Iron
ASTM E351-93(2000)e1 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Cast Iron--All Types
ASTM E352-93(2000)e1 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Tool Steels and Other Similar Medium- and High-Alloy Steels
ASTM E353-93(2000)e1 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless, Heat-Resisting, Maraging, and Other Similar Chromium-Nickel-Iron Alloys
ASTM E354-93(2000)e1 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of High-Temperature, Electrical, Magnetic, and Other Similar Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys
ASTM E415-99a Standard Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectrometric Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel
ASTM E607-90(1996) Standard Test Method for Optical Emission Spectrometric Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by the Point-to-Plane Technique, Nitrogen Atmosphere
ASTM E1251-94(1999) Standard Test Method for Optical Emission Spectrometric Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by the Argon Atmosphere, Point-to-Plane, Unipolar Self-Initiating Capacitor Discharge
ASTM E1999-99e1 Standard Test Method for Analysis of Cast Iron Using Optical Emission Spectrometry

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