Your need: to precisely determine the chemical composition of a metal alloy
What is a metal alloy?
A metal alloy is a material made up of two or more metallic elements (metals) mixed in specific proportions in order to obtain the desired properties.
They are introduced into metal alloys according to their composition. The contents of the constituent elements of ferroalloys are therefore key parameters in the context of their use.
The Chemical Composition of a Metal Alloy and the Material's Properties
The chemical composition of an alloy is the precise proportion of the chemical elements that make it up, such as metallic materials base metals and alloying elements, thereby determining its specific physical and mechanical properties. The composition of an alloy significantly influences its properties such as corrosion resistance, density and weight, thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as wear resistance.
Analysis of Alloy Composition at FILAB Laboratory
Iron-based alloy analysis: pure iron, steel, stainless steel, cast iron, etc.
Analyse alliage de nickel : nickel pur, Inconel, Rene 77, Hastelloy X
Copper alloy analysis: pure copper, bronze, brass
Analysis of other specific alloys: Molybdenum, Calcium-Silicon, Chromium-Cobalt, TiAl...
Titanium alloy analysis: TA6V, TA6V ELI, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4 (pure titanium)
Tin-based alloy analysis: SAC 305, SAC 0807
FILAB analyzes the chemical composition of metal alloys using state-of-the-art analytical equipment
Analysis of the composition of metal alloys helps ensure the quality and performance of materials used in various industries, such as the automotive, aerospace, and metallurgical industries, as well as medical devices.
With state-of-the-art analytical equipment, FILAB offers advanced services to accurately determine the constituent elements of metal alloys.
Our alloy composition analysis services
Identification of alloy components by Chromatography, Mass spectrometry or XRF
Analysis of the compliance of a reused material
Our techniques
C, H, O, N, S
Elemental Analyzers
SEM-EDX
SEO
ICP-AES
Which industries use metal alloys?
Metal alloys are used across many industrial sectors because of the versatility of their properties, which are enhanced compared with pure metals:
Our other metallurgical analysis services
Expert assessments and metallurgical analysis
Mechanical testing on materials
Non-destructive testing by X-ray tomography
Particle size analysis (performed by sieving, laser particle sizing)
Microstructure analysis of a metal material
Why carry out an analysis of metal alloy composition?
For material acceptance, production issues or the development of a new product, you may need to perform a chemical composition analysis of a metal alloy such as….
Compliance with Standards : NF EN 10088-1, NF EN 10088-2 and NF EN 10088-3
Detection of contaminants and impurity analysis : analysis can identify unwanted elements or contaminants that could affect the performance, durability, or safety of metal alloys.
Quality and performance : knowing the exact composition of alloys helps ensure that materials have the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties required for their intended use.
Our accreditations
The FILAB laboratory is accredited by COFRAC (French Accreditation Committee) – Laboratories section – in its Chemistry, Metallurgy, Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Expertise, Materials Expertise and Environment departments for the following areas:
✔️ Physicochemical analysis of metallic materials
✔️ Physicochemical analysis of cosmetic products and pharmaceutical products
✔️ Physicochemical analysis of medical devices, medical equipment, and chemical and biological products
Scope available No. 1-1793
This Nadcap accreditation notably covers:
✔️ Chemical analysis (ICP-OES) of critical metal alloys
(Al, Fe, Ni, Ti)
✔️ Metallography
International recognition that confirms our commitment to quality and reliability for the most demanding applications, particularly in the aerospace industry.
FAQ
Metal alloy composition analysis makes it possible to precisely determine the chemical elements that make it up.
The composition of an alloy directly influences its physical and mechanical properties, such as corrosion resistance, hardness, or 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, such as ICP AES, C, H, O, N, S elemental analyzers, X-ray fluorescence, or electron microscopy (SEM-EDX). These methods provide high precision for identifying elements and measuring their proportions in the alloy.
At the FILAB laboratory, we analyze the composition of metal alloys to ensure compliance with standards such as ISO or ASTM, commonly used in the aerospace, medical, and automotive sectors. FILAB is a COFRAC-accredited ISO 17025 laboratory.
Metal alloy analysis often focus on key elements such as iron, nickel, chromium, aluminum, copper, titanium, and any impurities, to ensure their expected properties.
Yes, our laboratory specializes in analyzing complex compositions, including multi-element alloys, using precise technologies to identify each metallic component.
We verify the composition of stainless steels to ensure compliance with medical standards by evaluating elements such as chromium and nickel, which are essential for biocompatibility and corrosion resistance.
We analyze critical metals such as cobalt, nickel, and molybdenum in superalloys to ensure their mechanical properties and high-temperature resistance.
Yes, we carry out a comprehensive analysis to verify that superalloys contain the optimal proportions of chromium, iron, and tungsten, which are essential for their resistance to oxidation and thermal fatigue. FILAB offers dedicated analysis for the energy and nuclear industries.
Detecting impurities in alloy composition
The presence of impurities in metal alloys can alter their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, or thermal behavior, which is a key issue for sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and medical.
Thanks to cutting-edge technologies such as optical emission spectrometry (OES) and ICP-MS, our laboratory precisely identifies unwanted elements, even at trace levels. For example, we can detect contaminants such as sulfur or phosphorus in stainless steels, which may compromise their durability in aggressive environments, or traces of lead in copper alloys intended for sensitive electrical applications.
By detecting and quantifying trace impurities in your alloys, we help you prevent failures and optimize your industrial processes.
Performing a comparative analysis between two alloy compositions
Comparing the chemical composition of two alloys makes it possible to choose the material best suited to a given application or to verify production compliance. Using technologies such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffraction, we analyze and compare each constituent element of the alloys with extreme precision. For example, in the aerospace industry, we can compare two superalloys to determine which offers better resistance to thermal fatigue. Likewise, in the medical field, we analyze the differences between two titanium alloys to validate their biocompatibility. These comparative analysis make it possible to assess their differences in terms of formulation and impact on their mechanical or chemical properties.
Why choose FILAB for your metal alloy analysis?
With significant experience in implementing these metal alloy analysis techniques and the development of specific methods for determining alloy and ferroalloy grades, the FILAB laboratory supports you with your needs for chemical analyses, metallurgical analyses, and alloy analysis expertise. We also offer our services for analyzing metal alloy failures.
