Ways to Identify Metals

Concerned about the elemental quality of your metal?

Whether it is Raw Materials, Industrial Products or Waste & Recycling. Identification of metals is important to ensure a smooth production line; some of the traditional & modern methods used, below.

Traditional Testing Method – Cost-efficient but relies heavily on personnel experience plus these methods could damage the samples.

Surface Appearance Test – Analyses the shape, form, colour and the surface’s smoothness/roughness. However, the test method does not guarantee nor provide sufficient information needed to classify the metal.

 Visual Aspects of Metals

Rockwell Test – Measure the hardness of the metal (by the depth of an indentation made by a cone-shaped point in a Rockwell hardness-testing machine). Can only measure one part of the metal.

Rockwell Hardness – Test Method

Modern Testing Method – Can now prevent sample damage during analysis. Positive material identification (PMI) can provide accurate test results within seconds of analysis; thanks to improved processing speed on modern technology.

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) – uses high-energy X-rays, to force excitement in the sample to emit certain characteristic rays which are readable by the XRF spectrometer to identify its element.

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Optical Emission Spectrometry (OES) – uses light intensity to emit a particular wavelength from a sample to determine its element. Each metal type has its own unique emission of rays and light.

 Emission Spectrum of Iron (Wikipedia)

Traditional methods can take years of training to master the right skills to apply their methodology. By using spectrometers, metal workers can be trained and begin their projects within minutes.

Unsure which metal analyser to choose?

Reach out to our expert today for a professional recommendation.

Elton Wong, Product Specialist, +6012-292 2371, [email protected]
You can browse our list of XRF Spectrometers | OES Spectrometers on www.jsanalytikal.com