ICP Analysis Services (ICP-AES / ICP-OES)

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is an advanced analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of metals, plastics, water, and solvents. By aerosolizing samples into a heated argon plasma and measuring the emitted light wavelengths, this method accurately identifies trace to major elements, contaminents, and additives in strict compliance with ASTM E3061, ASTM E2371, and ASTM D1976 standards. 

How ICP Testing is Performed

ICP analysis isolates atomic signatures using a high-temperature plasma source to deliver reliable, high-resolution compositional profiles:

1. Aerosolization: The liquid sample or digested solid solution is mixed with inert argon gas and converted into a fine aerosol mist.
2. Plasma Excitation: The aerosolized sample is introduced into an intensely heated plasma flame (reaching temperatures up to 10,000K). This thermal energy atomizes and excites the elements within the sample.
3. Wavelength Measurement: As the excited atoms cool, they emit characteristic light wavelengths unique to each specific element. The spectrometer captures and measures these optical emissions, translating light intensity into accurate quantitative concentration data.

Analytical Insights & Applications

Engineers, researchers, and quality managers leverage our ICP testing catalog to resolve multiple production and compliance concerns:

Key Technical Indicators

• Material Identification: Validates unknown alloys or compounds based on their unique, empirical elemental profile.
• Additive Verification: Quantifies performance-enhancing additives blended into polymers, oils, or specialized fluids.
• Contaminant Detection: Pinpoints trace metallic impurities or cross-contamination that could alter a product's structural limits or lifespan.

Core Industrial Applications

• Industrial Fluids: Analysis of used mechanical oils, lubricants, and commercial solvents to track wear metals.
• Environmental & Process Safety: Comprehensive analysis of industrial wastewaters, drinking water, and aqueous solutions.
• Polymers & Plastics: Identifying inorganic fillers, thermal stabilizers, and regulatory flame-retardant additives.

Accredited ICP Testing Standards

Our laboratories execute quantitative chemical testing in strict compliance with globally recognized ASTM and industry-specific standards to ensure your reports are completely defensible:

• ASTM E3061: Standard Test Method for Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry.
• ASTM E2371: Standard Test Method for Analysis of Titanium and Titanium Alloys by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry.
• ASTM D1976: Standard Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy.

Comprehensive Elemental Detection Capabilities

Instead of weeding through an unstructured paragraph, review our complete core catalog of trace and major elements detected and measured via ICP analysis:

• Aluminum, Arsenic, Boron, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth
• Calcium, Cadmium, Cerium, Cobalt, Chromium, Cesium, Copper
• Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Gold, Gallium, Germanium
• Iron, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Lead, Lithium
• Mercury, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum
• Sodium, Nickel, Potassium, Phosphorus, Palladium, Platinum
• Rubidium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Ruthenium
• Silver, Sulfur, Antimony, Scandium, Selenium, Silicon
• Tin, Tantalum, Thorium, Titanium ,Thallium
• Vanadium, Tungsten, Yttrium, Ytterbium, Zinc
• and other metals and metal species

Request a quote here, or click on the button below for more information on IMR's  capabilities.