Your need: precisely determine the composition of the metal alloy to ensure compliance with quality standards
What is a metal alloy?
A metal alloy is a material composed of two or more metallic elements (metals) mixed in specific proportions to obtain specific properties.
These compounds include metal alloys of the additive type (ferro-chromium, ferro-molybdenum, ferro-titanium, ferro-vanadium, ferro-manganese, etc.), the inoculant type (ferro-silicon) and the spheroidizing type (ferro-silicomagnesium).
They are added to metal alloys according to their composition. The content of the constituent elements of ferroalloys is therefore a key parameter in their use.
Metal alloy composition and material properties
The chemical composition of an alloy is the precise proportion of chemical elements that make it up, such as base metal materials and additive elements, thus determining its specific physical and mechanical properties. The composition of an alloy has a significant influence on its properties:
> Mechanical strength: the presence of certain elements such as carbon in steel increases its hardness and tensile strength.
> Ductility and malleability: elements such as copper and nickel can improve ductility, allowing the material to deform without breaking.
> Corrosion resistance: elements such as chromium and nickel in stainless steel increase corrosion resistance.
> Thermal and electrical conductivity: alloys containing aluminium or copper are often used for their good thermal and electrical conductivity.
> Density and weight: composition can influence alloy density, with elements such as magnesium making alloys lighter, useful in aerospace and automotive applications.
> Wear resistance: elements such as tungsten and vanadium improve wear resistance, extending the life of tools and components.
By adjusting the chemical composition of an alloy, it is possible to design materials with specific properties tailored to particular applications.
Why carry out an analysis of metal alloy composition?
In the context of material acceptance, production problems or the development of a new product, you are looking to check and analyse the chemical composition of a metal alloy such as….
> Compliance with standards: the analysis enable us to check that the alloys comply with the industrial and regulatory standards (ISO, ASTM) specific to each sector, thus ensuring their compliance and acceptance on the market, according to the standards NF EN 10088-1, NF EN 10088-2 and NF EN 10088-3.
> Quality and performance: knowing the exact composition of alloys ensures that materials have the mechanical, physical and chemical properties required for their specific use.
> Contaminant detection and impurity analysis: analysis can identify undesirable elements or contaminants that could affect the performance, durability or safety of metal alloys.
> Research and development: for the development of new materials and products, accurate knowledge of chemical composition is essential.
FILAB analysis the chemical composition of your metal alloys using state-of-the-art analytical equipment
Analysing the composition of metal alloys helps to guarantee the quality and performance of materials used in various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, metallurgy and medical devices. Thanks to its state-of-the-art analytical facilities, FILAB offers advanced services for accurately determining the constituent elements of metal alloys.
Our alloy composition analysis services
Identification of alloy components by chromatography, mass spectrometry or XRF
Our chemical analysis of metal alloys
Complementary metallurgical and structural analysis (characterization of materials) using X-Ray Diffraction and granulometric analysis (carried out by sieving, laser granulometry, etc.) are also regularly used to analyse metal alloys.
Detecting impurities in the composition of alloys
The presence of impurities in metal alloys can alter their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance or thermal behaviour, which is a key issue for sectors such as aerospace, automotive and medical.
Using cutting-edge technologies such as optical emission spectrometry (OES) and ICP-MS, our laboratory can accurately identify undesirable elements, even at trace levels. For example, we can detect contaminants such as sulphur or phosphorus in stainless steels, which can compromise their durability in aggressive environments, or traces of lead in copper alloys used in sensitive electrical applications.
By detecting and quantifying traces of impurities in your alloys, we can help you prevent failures and optimise your industrial processes.
Carry out a comparative analysis of two alloy compositions
Comparing the chemical composition of two alloys enables us to choose the most suitable material for a given application or to check the conformity of a production run. Using technologies such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffraction, we analyse and compare each constituent element of alloys with extreme precision. For example, in the aerospace industry, we can compare two superalloys to determine which offers better resistance to thermal fatigue. Similarly, in the medical field, we analyse the differences between two titanium alloys to validate their biocompatibility. These comparative analysis enable us to assess their differences in terms of formulation and impact on their mechanical or chemical properties.
Analysis of specific alloys
The FILAB laboratory analysis a wide range of metal alloys. Analysis of the composition of metal alloys meet a number of industrial challenges:
Aluminium alloys are optimised for their lightness and mechanical strength,
Stainless steels are analysed for corrosion resistance and chemical stability.
Titanium alloys are checked for their purity and specific properties, such as biocompatibility.
Superalloys are tested for their resistance to extreme thermal and mechanical stress,
Copper alloys are tested for optimum electrical and thermal conductivity.
Why call on FILAB for your metal alloy analysis?
With significant experience in the implementation of these metal alloy analysis techniques and the development of specific methods for determining alloy and ferroalloy grades, the FILAB laboratory can help you with your chemical analysis, metallurgical analysis and alloy analysis expertise requirements. We also offer metal alloy failure analysis services.
What industries use metal alloys?
Metal alloys are used in many industrial sectors because of the versatility of their improved properties compared to pure metals:
Our other metallurgical analysis services
Metallurgical analysis and expertise
Thermal analysis to evaluate alloy properties
Particle size analysis (sieving, laser particle size analysis)
Mechanical test of materials
FAQ
Analysis of the composition of a metal alloy enables the precise determination of the chemical elements of which it is made. This step is essential for checking that the alloy complies with the technical specifications and quality standards expected.
The composition of an alloy directly influences its physical and mechanical properties, such as corrosion resistance, hardness and conductivity. Knowing this composition ensures that the alloy meets performance requirements in specific applications.
Several techniques can be used to determine the composition of an alloy, including mass spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence and electron microscopy. These methods are highly accurate for identifying elements and measuring their proportions in the alloy.
Most metal alloys can be analysed for their composition, whether ferrous (steel, cast iron) or non-ferrous (aluminium, copper, titanium). The analysis can be used to optimise their use in industrial applications.
Yes, our laboratory is equipped to detect and quantify rare or specific metals in the composition of metal alloys, such as niobium, molybdenum or tungsten.
At FILAB, we analyse the composition of metal alloys to ensure compliance with standards such as ISO and ASTM, which are commonly used in the aerospace, medical and automotive sectors.
Analysis of metal alloys often focus on key elements such as iron, nickel, chromium, aluminium, copper and titanium, and any impurities they may contain, to guarantee their expected properties.
We compare the results of the analysis of the composition of the alloys with their theoretical or normative specifications, which enables us to detect deviations, manufacturing errors or contamination.
Yes, our laboratory specialises in the analysis of complex compositions, including multi-element alloys, using precise technologies to identify each metallic component.
We check the composition of stainless steels to ensure compliance with medical standards, assessing elements such as chromium and nickel, which are essential for biocompatibility and corrosion resistance.
We analyse critical metals such as cobalt, nickel and molybdenum in superalloys to guarantee their mechanical properties and resistance to high temperatures.
Yes, we carry out a complete analysis to check that superalloys contain the optimum proportions of chromium, iron and tungsten, which are essential for their resistance to oxidation and thermal fatigue. FILAB offers dedicated analyses for the energy and nuclear industries.
