INSTRUMENTAL CHEMISTRY

INCLUDING ULTRA TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

CCT offers Instrumental Chemistry, which is a type of chemical analysis that uses specialized instruments to determine the elemental composition and concentration of a test sample. The lab specializes in metallic materials analysis and provides complete elemental analysis services, including ultra trace element analysis, with both qualitative and quantitative data. Instrumental analysis can identify individual elements or groups of elements present in the sample and determine their respective amounts. For trace or ultra trace element analysis, the lab uses ICP (inductively coupled plasma) techniques.

INSTRUMENTAL CHEMISTRY APPLICATIONS

Our customers request instrumental chemistry services for a range of purposes that are specific to their business needs. The most common reasons for seeking our services are to confirm material conformance to a standard or specification such as GB, ISO, and ASTM, or to obtain critical information about their material samples to aid in selecting raw materials or verifying orders from suppliers. Our services can identify alloys, including ferroalloys, cast iron, superalloys, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, zinc alloys, titanium alloys, and more. We can also detect impurities, identify materials, determine content in flux and welding wire, analyze chemical samples, and more.

Contact us to learn more about our ability to analyze. 

VARIETY OF ANALYSIS METHODS

Highly sophisticated and sensitive instruments with automated and computerized processing and reporting of results are used at Lab Testing to perform the following variety of instrumental analysis techniques:

· Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES/OES)

· ICP Analysis (ICP-MS, ICP-AES)

· Combustion Furnace Sulfur & Carbon Analysis

· Inert Gas Fusion (Oxygen, Hydrogen & Nitrogen Determination)

Our chemists will carefully select the most suitable instrumental analysis method, taking into consideration factors such as the type and amount of sample, the required results, and cost limitations, in cases where the customer has not specified a particular method.

TEST METHODS/SPECIFICATIONS

PROVIDING SAMPLES FOR INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS

In order to ensure efficient and accurate instrumental chemical analysis services while keeping costs low, we kindly request our customers to provide us with as much information as possible about the samples they submit. This information should be included on the purchase order or accompanying the test sample. By providing this information, we can choose the most suitable and cost-effective testing methods. Additionally, this can help to avoid the need for preliminary tests that could result in delays and increased costs.

Sample Composition

If we are asked to analyze a specific component of an alloy without prior knowledge of the approximate composition, there is a risk of errors due to unknown interference between elements. To avoid this, it is recommended that customers provide information about the composition of the sample so that our chemists can choose an appropriate instrumental chemistry method that can avoid any element interference with others in the alloy.

Standards & Specifications

To guarantee that we obtain an adequate sample size for instrumental analysis, we offer the following guidelines, particularly when testing to determine conformity to a standard or specification (e.g., ASME, ASTM). It is essential to know the alloy or grade being tested since some standards refer to more than one alloy or grade.

Sample Size

· AES solid samples – 1/2” thick and 2” x 2” square

· Analysis by Inert Gas Fusion method –  nitrogen and oxygen (minimum of 1½ grams); hydrogen (minimum of 2 grams)

· Analysis by Combustion method – carbon and sulfur (minimum of 2 grams)

· ICP Analysis – chips and samples too small for AES (minimum of 5 grams); powders (minimum weight of 20 grams but size may vary)

Contact us to discuss your samples and instrumental analysis needs.

THE INSTRUMENTAL CHEMISTRY PROCESSES

ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY

Direct analysis of the elemental composition of solid metal samples can be achieved through Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES), which is considered one of the most useful analytical chemistry techniques. At CCT, we utilize AES spectrometers that can analyze all common elements present in metal and alloy samples, including but not limited to silicon, manganese, phosphorus, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. We can provide both qualitative and quantitative information through this method.

ICP ANALYSIS

CCT's advanced analytical services include Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). These state-of-the-art spectrometers are fully computerized and offer highly sensitive and reliable results. ICP-AES is capable of detecting most elements in the periodic table, with detection limits in the parts-per-billion range, and can provide quantitative information on trace to major elements. ICP-MS, on the other hand, can analyze a range of metals and non-metals with exceptional sensitivity, often detecting trace elements at parts-per-trillion levels.

POSITIVE MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION

CCT utilizes X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy as a nondestructive technique to perform Positive Material Identification. This method provides direct analysis of both solid metal samples and thin metal films for major elements. It can also be used for RoHS screening of both metallic and non-metallic samples.

The sample is irradiated with a primary beam of X-rays emitted from an X-ray tube. As the X-rays are absorbed by the sample elements, excitation occurs, followed by fluorescence as characteristic X-rays are emitted. These X-rays are then directed to an X-ray detector where the energy and number of each X-ray are recorded. By comparing the intensities of these X-rays to known standards, the unknown specimen can be identified and semi-quantitative information can be obtained.

COMBUSTION METHOD FOR SULFUR AND CARBON ANALYSIS

For analyzing the content of carbon and sulfur in different metal and inorganic materials, high temperature combustion is utilized. The test commences by heating the sample in a high-temperature furnace that is filled with oxygen, causing the combustion of carbon and sulfur in the sample. The gases produced are then passed through a series of traps, absorbers, and converters to remove any interfering elements and ensure that the gases have the right structure for detection.

To determine the concentration of carbon or sulfur, infrared detection is used. The infrared absorption detector measures the absorption of the infrared wavelengths that are unique to carbon and sulfur. The amount of energy absorbed is directly proportional to the quantity of carbon or sulfur present in the sample being tested. The lower detection limits for carbon vary from 0.1 to 10 parts per-million, and the upper detection limits range from 2.5 to 3.5%. For sulfur, the lower detection limits range from 1 to 50 parts per-million, while the upper detection limits vary from 0.2 to 2.5%.

INERT GAS FUSION

To quantitatively determine the concentrations of gases (nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen) in ferrous and nonferrous materials, CCT employs the inert gas fusion technique. This method is crucial to manage the gas contents at low levels, which can otherwise negatively impact the mechanical properties of the materials during their processing and working.

In the inert gas fusion method, the sample is heated in a fusion furnace with an inert gas atmosphere until it reaches a molten state, causing the dissociation of the gases from the metals. The fusion gases are then carried to a detector after separation. At CCT, an infrared detection system is utilized to detect oxygen, while a thermo-conductivity system is employed for detecting nitrogen and hydrogen.