Laboratory analysis and expertise of copper and copper alloys
Our laboratory is expert in the metallurgy and analysis of alloys such as copper, offering advanced expertise in determining chemical composition and mechanical properties. We support industries in the quality control and development of copper materials adapted to the requirements of their industries.
Your needs : chemical test of copper-based alloys
Laboratory test of copper
Using advanced analysis techniques, our laboratory delivers accurate and reliable results for every copper analysis. Our teams provide a rapid service that complies with current standards, ensuring the quality and safety of their copper-based products.
Copper is a strong, malleable metal used in many industries:
- Pure copper : Highly conductive, widely used in the electrical industry for wires and circuits.
- Deoxygenated copper : Oxygen-free, suitable for plumbing and heating systems.
- Brass (Copper-Zinc) : Resistant and decorative, used in taps, musical instruments and automobiles.
- Bronze (Copper-Tin) : Durable and wear-resistant, used for bearings, marine parts and industrial machinery.
- Cupro-nickel : Resistant in marine environments, suitable for the shipbuilding industry for piping and heat exchangers.
- Beryllium copper : Solid and non-magnetic, used in explosion-proof tools and connectors in the aerospace industry.
Analysis and tests of copper alloys
Copper alloys, such as brass, bronze and cupro-nickel, have a wide range of properties and are used in many industrial sectors. The FILAB laboratory carries out comprehensive analysis of the composition of copper alloys to help optimise production and recycling processes. We identify alloying elements and measure concentrations to meet the technical specifications of each project.
Analysis of copper composition
Analysing the composition of copper ensures that materials meet the required quality standards. Our laboratory offers a service dedicated to verifying the chemical composition of copper and its alloys, by measuring the proportions of chemical elements such as zinc, nickel and tin. These analysis validate the conformity of materials for demanding applications in terms of durability and resistance.
Brass alloy composition test
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, often supplemented by small quantities of other elements such as lead, tin or nickel to improve its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The proportion of zinc in the alloy directly influences brass’s colour, hardness and malleability. Analysing the composition of brass is essential for controlling the quality of the material and ensuring that it meets the specific requirements of each sector, in terms of durability, conductivity and resistance to mechanical stress.
Why choose the FILAB laboratory to realise test on copper and copper alloys ?
When you choose our laboratory to analyse copper and copper alloys, you benefit from recognised expertise, fast turnaround times and compliance with the strictest quality standards.
Carrying out an analysis of copper composition meets a number of challenges:
- Quality control : ensuring that the composition complies with specifications, guaranteeing product performance and durability.
- Adaptation to applications : Adjusting the alloy’s properties, such as electrical conductivity or corrosion resistance, for specific uses, notably in electronics, the automotive industry and construction.
- Compliance with standards : Check that copper and its alloys comply with industrial regulations and standards, ensuring the safety and reliability of the materials.
- Failure prevention : Identify undesirable elements or variations in composition that could lead to failure.
Copper composition analysis ensures the quality, conformity and optimisation of alloys in a wide range of industrial applications.
Our copper and alloy test methods
We use state-of-the-art analytical methods, such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, optical emission spectrometry and ICP analysis, to provide highly accurate copper and copper alloy analysis results. These techniques enable us to detect elements in very low concentrations and provide detailed reports.
- ICP-AES and ICP-MS elemental analysis
- OES spark spectrometry
- C, H, O, N, S elemental analysis
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Applications of copper alloy analysis
The analysis of copper and its alloys has applications in a wide range of sectors, including electronics, automotive, construction and aerospace. Whether you need to check the purity of copper in electronic components or assess the mechanical properties of a copper alloy in automotive parts, our laboratory can put its expertise to work for you.
To see further: our expertise in copper alloys
In addition to routine metallurgical analysis, the FILAB laboratory can provide you with expert metallurgical analysis and failure studies on your copper-based bronze or brass samples:
Metallographic examinations of copper alloys
Coating thickness measurements on copper parts
Accelerated aging tests (corrosion, surface alterations…)
FAQ
The FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) technique is not suitable for directly analysing the chemical composition of metals. For a precise analysis of the composition of copper, techniques such as optical emission spectrometry (OES) or X-ray fluorescence spectrometry are recommended, as they can detect and quantify the metallic elements with precision.
Analysis of a copper complex requires suitable techniques to identify both the copper and the associated ligands. UV spectroscopy is often used to characterise the presence of copper complexes. Other techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) can help to analyse the bonds in the ligands of the complex. ICP mass spectrometry is also used to determine the precise quantitative copper composition.
Laboratory analysis of copper determines the chemical composition and properties of pure copper or its alloys, by measuring the content of copper and alloying elements. It is essential for checking compliance with standards, guaranteeing quality and optimising the characteristics of copper for specific applications, such as electronics, construction and metallurgy.
Copper analysis in the characterization of materials enables the concentration and distribution essential for specific industrial applications to be determined. This analysis ensures that materials meet the quality and performance standards required for sectors such as electronics, construction and metallurgy, guaranteeing their compliance with technical specifications.