Metals analysis with optical emission spectrometry
For the metals industry, optical emission spectrometry (OES) is the standard technique for analyzing a wide range of metals and alloys. OES enables technicians and specialists to identify the elemental composition of metallurgical samples down to the trace level. It also allows for the evaluation of non-metallic inclusions, making it the ideal technology for managing quality control during metals production.
The ARL iSpark Metal Analyzer
A growing number of metals manufacturers are turning to our ARL iSpark Optical Emission Spectrometer: a safe, reliable, and trustworthy high-performance instrument for quality control analyses, and metals research and development. The ARL iSpark Metal Analyzer comes with powerful OXSAS analytical software that, in addition to running the analysis, includes all the tools that help users manage their data, control the instrument or perform calibrations. In addition, sample preparation and analysis can be fully automated with the ARL Sample Manipulation Systems, helping manufacturers boost their productivity.
Thermo Fisher’s series of ARL iSpark Optical Emission Spectrometers offer a safe, reliable, and trustworthy set of tools for quality control analyses, and metals research and development.
Using this high-performance instrument, metals manufacturers in industries ranging from automotive to aerospace can rapidly determine the elemental concentration of metallurgical samples as they work to manufacture stronger, lighter-weight alloys. They can also improve the cleanness and properties of their metals and alloys by quickly identifying non-metallic inclusions that can form or be introduced into these materials during the manufacturing process.
With an ultra-fast, cost-effective way to analyze elements and inclusions, the metals industry can obtain the exact composition and properties they desire. They can also avoid the cost of de-classifying or scrapping metals, while optimizing their production efficiency.
Repeatable and stable analyses
For example, Baudelet Environnement, a metals recycling company in France, uses the ARL iSpark Metal Analyzer to analyze the concentration of elements such as sodium, lithium and phosphorous found within recycled aluminum after it is melted.
Using the ARL iSpark Metal Analyzer, technicians are able to quickly analyze a dozen different aluminum alloys with a high level of accuracy and precision. “The Thermo Scientific ARL iSpark enables repeatable and stable analyses—much more than our previous spectrometer,” says Philippe Bernard, laboratory technician at Baudelet Environnement. “Besides, this instrument is much faster than the older generation of optical emission spectrometers. It is also very convenient for users, thanks to only one software window to deal with on one computer screen.”
The precision and accuracy manufacturers need
Likewise, Metalor Technologies, a Swiss-based precious metals manufacturer, uses the ARL iSpark to identify impurities in precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium before they are shipped to customers. With more than 100,000 analyses performed each year and stringent laws associated with the precious metals market, the company needed a rapid and reliable instrument that it could depend on for its analyses.
“The ARL iSpark has the precision, the accuracy, the reliability, and the efficiency required to perform the large number of demanding analyses needed every day,” says Quentin Bochud, laboratory manager at Metalor Technologies. “The analytical results satisfied all our rather tough criteria, and the design and robustness of the ARL iSpark spectrometer leads to a significant gain in time.”
A dependable metal analyzer for improved productivity and quality
By turning to the ARL iSpark Metal Analyzer, metallurgical companies can quickly analyze most metals and alloys accurately, and with a high level of precision down to the trace level. With the ARL iSpark Metal Analyzer, researchers have a powerful and reliable solution for their metal analyses that can help them improve their productivity and the quality of their products.
Learn more here.
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Jean-Marc Böhlen is a Product Manager for OES at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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