--- type: "WebPage" title: "Instrumental Gas Analysis" description: "As an industrial manufacturer, are you looking to carry out an IGA analysis? What is IGA analysis? IGA analysis makes it possible to measure the gas-forming elements (C, H, O, N and S) present in solid materials.Instrumental Gas Analysis uses..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-iga-analysis/" tags: ["EN", "pll_616d7b545548f", "Materials", "Thomas ROUSSEAU"] timestamp: "2026-06-08T13:34:15Z" published: "2021-10-18T13:52:34Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Instrumental Gas Analysis ## As an industrial manufacturer, are you looking to carry out an IGA analysis? ### What is IGA analysis? IGA analysis makes it possible to **measure the [gas-forming elements](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/chons-laboratory-analysis.md) (C, H, O, N and S)** present in solid materials. Instrumental Gas Analysis uses a **high-temperature furnace** to rapidly heat the samples to be tested and thus convert certain elements into volatile forms under the effect of heat. The aim is to separate them in order to **identify and measure them**. As a result, only a **laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation** is able to carry out instrumental gas analysis. ### The presence of gas-forming elements in solid materials The **presence of gas-forming elements** such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur in solid materials **can cause significant defects** such as [hydrogen embrittlement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/hydrogen-embrittlement-characterization-laboratory.md), the formation of porosity or [inclusions](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/inclusion-analysis-on-laboratory-materials.md), reduced mechanical strength and accelerated corrosion.  **These impurities can alter the mechanical and chemical properties of materials**, compromising their performance, durability and reliability, which can lead to failures. Therefore, it is important to carry out [elemental analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/analysis-chimiques/laboratoire-analysis-elementaires/) and [failure analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures.md) in the laboratory to verify their presence in materials. ### Why carry out IGA analysis in the laboratory? As an industrial manufacturer, performing an IGA (Instrumental gas analysis) on a material makes it possible to [detect and quantify gaseous impurities](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-detection-identification-impurities.md), such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which can affect the material’s mechanical and chemical properties. In addition, this analysis helps optimize manufacturing processes by monitoring and controlling material composition in real time. - Determine material purity: it can help determine the amount of interstitial gases present, which is an indicator of a material’s purity. - Evaluate heat treatments: thermal processes can affect the amount and distribution of gases in a material. IGA analysis provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of these treatments. - Analyze corrosion: interstitial gases can influence a material’s resistance to corrosion. An analysis of these gases can therefore help understand and prevent corrosive processes. - Develop new alloys: in R&D, IGA analysis is used to develop new alloys and materials with specific properties by controlling the presence of interstitial gases. ## FILAB supports you in your gas analysis using an Inert Gas Analyzer Through our three levels of service: analysis, expertise and R&D support, [FILAB](https://filab.fr/en/) supports companies across all sectors in instrumental Gas Analysis or IGA analysis in order to identify and measure the C/H/O/N/S gases contained in your products. To do this, FILAB provides its customers with the know-how and experience of its team, as well as a [analytical platform](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. ### Our technical resources: inert gas analyzer Our technical resources include the **Inert Gas Analyzer**, a state-of-the-art piece of equipment essential for ethanol measurement for various industrial applications. This analyzer takes a gas sample, ionizes it, then separates and detects the ions to accurately measure inert gas concentrations. The results enable fast and reliable analysis, optimizing industrial processes and ensuring product quality. IGA analysis makes it possible to analyze solid, liquid or gaseous samples. The sample is placed in the analysis chamber and heated to a high temperature so that the volatile components vaporize and break down into gases. The gases emitted by the sample are then detected by different sensors, and the data emitted by the gases (temperature, quantity, composition, etc.) are recorded and analyzed in order to determine the composition of the sample. IGA analysis **(Instrumental gas analysis)** makes it possible to analyze solid samples, powders, or particulate elements. The sample is placed in the analysis chamber and heated to a high temperature so that volatile components vaporize and break down into gases. The gases emitted by the sample are then detected by different sensors, and the data produced by the gases (temperature, quantity, composition, etc.) are recorded and analyzed in order to determine the sample’s composition. ## our other elemental analysis services [EDX probe coupled with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-d-analysis-par-microscopie-electronique-a-balayage-meb-edx/) Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: [ICP-MS and ICP-AES](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md) [Mercury Analyzer](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/our-mineral-analysis-equipment.md) by mercury amalgamator Determination of C, H, O, N, S elements in solids, [powders](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization/laboratory-analysis-powder-purity.md) or particles Elemental analyzers C/S, N/O, H ## Our FAQ What types of materials can be analyzed by IGA? Although IGA is mainly used for metals and alloys, it can also be applied to other types of materials that may contain interstitial gases, such as ceramics and certain polymers, provided that the gas extraction method is adapted to the material in question. Which industrial sectors are concerned by IGA analysis? Industries where material properties are critical benefit particularly from IGA analysis. This includes aerospace, automotive, nuclear energy, medical device manufacturing, and metallurgy. IGA helps these industries ensure the reliability and performance of their products by controlling and optimizing the presence of interstitial gases. Which gases are concerned by IGA analysis? IGA analysis (Inert Gas Analyzer) is used to detect and quantify gas-forming elements such as carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in solid materials. For example, **carbon** generates carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) when it is present in **steels and alloys**. This analysis is essential for controlling carbon levels, ensuring material quality and monitoring combustion processes, thereby guaranteeing optimal performance. Hydrogen generates **hydrogen gas**(H₂) when it is detected in **metals**. Excessive hydrogen can cause hydrogen embrittlement, compromising the durability and safety of materials. As a result, IGA analysis makes it possible to detect and control hydrogen levels to optimize heat treatment processes and prevent structural failures. **Oxygen**, in turn, generates oxygen gas (O₂) and, when it reacts with hydrogen, can produce water (H₂O). Analysis of oxides in metals is crucial to avoid the negative effects of oxidation, such as corrosion and reduced electrical conductivity.  The various CHONS elements present in materials can generate specific gases, requiring precise monitoring to ensure the quality and safety of finished products. Thanks to IGA analysis, industries can guarantee material purity and improve the quality of finished products by precisely monitoring and regulating oxygen levels. In what context should IGA analysis be carried out? Analysis using an Inert Gas Analyzer offers several advantages for manufacturers, particularly in research, analysis and materials characterization, including: Understanding the chemical composition of the material analyzed and [detecting impurities](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-detection-identification-impurities.md) or decomposition products Assessing the [thermal stability](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-caracterisation-des-materiaux/laboratoire-analysis-thermiques-thermogravimetriques/) of a material by determining the temperatures at which it begins to decompose or undergo chemical reactions  Studying the stability of [medicines](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/health-pharmaceutical-cosmetics/laboratory-analysis-medication.md) and determining their storage conditions. Assessing the performance of [catalysts](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/catalyst-analysis-laboratory.md) and optimizing their processes.