Looking for opinions on metal analysis

R. Mark Lee

R. Mark Lee

Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
232
Hello All,

I just received the leaf springs from a 1953 chevy pickup truck and would like to have the metal analized to see what it is. I have done some searching in the archives, but can not find any one person or place that seems to be popular. Mostly just discussions on the results of the analysis or whether or not the analysis needs to be done in the first place. I know I want to get the analysis done, I just do not know what method of analysis is the most accurate/reliable and who does the best job. I'm also looking for input on sample size for a given technique. In other word, do I ask for several spots to be taken across the cut face of the spring, or send several samples from different springs to get a better feel for the bulk content. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Matt Doyle ( mdoyle here on the forums) used to, and probably still does it for free.
 
I assume they all do it the same - put it in a big machine , push the button and in seconds you have the analysis !Machine of course is calibrated etc .
Sam Salvati works for Fastenal.Crucible does it. Some suggest a university but make sure they do steel .
 
Thanks everyone, I'll look into the companies suggested, or maybe the local university. I was hoping for someone's preference as far as techniques go, or are they using the same "big machine" as mete references. Thanks again.
 
Crucible's website doesn't say what machine they use [they are also capapble of wet analysis ]. The analysis is spectroanalysis where typically a beam of electrons is projected on the metal and each element reflects a specific pattern of X-rays .Calibrated it will tell you the amounts of each.Very convenient , takes just seconds and there are even portable units. Search "spectroanalysis". Check makers like www.spectro.com . Over the years these "big machines" have become smaller , faster and more accurate....I didn't want to confuse you with big words so I leave that to Fitzo !!
 
Thanks guys...I was curious if something like laser ablation ICP or ICP/MS would be suitable, but didn't think so...seems like the wrong instrument. Can this be done with a handheld XRF, or are lab-scale instruments more appropriate?
 
Lab type will be more accurate. Hand held instruments of any kind often are used for quick ID rather than complete accurate analysis.
 
I don't think ICP would tell you the carbon, though I'm not certain. All I'm familiar with is it's use in trace metals analysis, and that was some years back. Solubility would limit it, but that laser ablation sounds interesting...
 
I got a piece done at work by one of our scrap techs with a handheld x-ray analyser, the kind many scrapyards use, it was not incredibly accurate, but since the differences between some of our grades is in hundredsths of a percent of certain elements these guns put stuff in the ballpark, and steel has a pretty loose ballpark compared to superalloy. If you want real accuracy, you can get into x-ray spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, spark emission spectroscopy, at work when we want to know what something is made of we use all of those tests plus wet chemistry. Each test has it's strengths and limitations. For what you need teh Crucible or Fastenal test is probably good enough

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Thanks everyone for the information. I am familiar with a both ICP/MS and XRF having used both techniques in the semiconductor industry. However, I wasn't sure what the method of choice was for metal analysis. Sounds like XRF will probably be the easiest from a sample prep stand point. I'll post the result from the '53 chevy springs when I get them.
 
I think fitzo is right in that ICP can't do Carbon (kinda important to us knife guys.) Sounds like XRF is the right method for this job.
 
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