CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Techniques

Bulk 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.

Phase identification is available by X-ray Diffraction.

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 E350-18	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel, Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and Wrought Iron
ASTM E351-18	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Cast Iron - All Types
ASTM E352-18	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Tool Steels and Other Similar Medium -and High-Alloy Steels
ASTM E353-14	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Stainless, Heat-Resisting, Maraging, and Other Similar Chromium-Nickel-Iron Alloys
ASTM E354-14	Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of High-Temperature, Electrical, Magnetic, and Other Similar Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt Alloys
ASTM E415-15	Standard Test Method for Optical Emission Vacuum Spectrometric Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel
(ASTM E607-02)	Standard Test Method for Optical Emission Spectrometric Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by the Point-to-Plane Technique, Nitrogen Atmosphere
ASTM E1251-17a	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 E1999-18	Standard Test Method for Analysis of Cast Iron Using Optical Emission Spectrometry

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