Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) Analysis Services
Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) provides rapid, high-precision quantitative elemental analysis for solid metal components and alloys. Utilizing an advanced arc-spark discharge mechanism, OES delivers a complete chemical percentage breakdown within seconds, making it an indispensable tool for incoming raw stock validation, lot verification, and alloy identification.
Rapid Turnaround & On-Demand Data: Because OES evaluates solid metal samples directly without requiring complex acid digestion, routine chemical profiles can be processed with exceptional efficiency, delivering results far faster than wet chemistry methods.
How OES Analysis Works
OES precisely measures the intensity of light emitted from excited atoms to calculate exact chemical concentrations:
- Spark Excitation: A high-energy electrical arc or spark discharge is applied to a prepared, ground surface of the solid metal sample inside a controlled argon environment. This energy vaporizes a micro-layer of the metal, exciting the constituent atoms and ions.
- Optical Emission: As these excited electrons return to their stable ground energy states, they emit light across a spectrum of precise optical wavelengths unique to each element.
- Internal Recalculation: The spectrometer captures the intensities of these element-specific wavelengths. An internal processor instantly cross-references these readings against a stored set of calibration curves, displaying the exact percent concentration directly.
Materials & Elements We Analyze
OES works exclusively with solid, electrically conductive metal alloys. It is highly valued across metallurgy sectors for its unique ability to detect and quantify critical light elements like carbon, phosphorus, and sulfur that other rapid methods can miss.
| Base Metal Classes Tested | Trace to Major Elements Quantified |
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Reporting Precision Limits
- Element concentrations are routinely reported down to 0.01 wt%.
- For highly specialized matrix testing, trace elements can be isolated and analyzed down to parts-per-million (ppm) levels.
Industry Compliance & Testing Standards
All OES analyses performed by our laboratories are NIST traceable through the rigorous use of certified reference materials. We test in strict compliance with major domestic and international standards:
- ASTM E415: Standard Test Method for Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry.
- ASTM E1251: Standard Test Method for Analysis of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry.
- ASTM E1086: Standard Test Method for Analysis of Austenitic Stainless Steel by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry.
- ASTM E1999: Standard Test Method for Analysis of Cast Irons by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry.
- ASTM A751: Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products.
The IMR Metallurgical Advantage
- Absolute Traceability: Using verified reference standards ensures your raw material chemistry is completely accurate and legally defensible.
- Advanced Light Element Detection: Our argon-purged testing environments allow our optical systems to accurately quantify carbon and sulfur content, preventing dangerous material substitution failures.
- Seamless Workflow Integration: OES data works hand-in-hand with our full-service metallurgy lab, allowing you to back up your chemical profile with mechanical tensile testing or forensic failure analysis.
Alloy Chemistry
Antimony Analysis (ICP)
Cadmium Analysis (ICP)
Carbon, Sulfur, Hydrogen, Oxygen & Nitrogen
Contamination ID
Contaminant/ Corrodent Analysis
Filler/Additive Analysis
FTIR
Halogen Analysis (IC)
Heavy Metals Analysis
Hex Chrome (UV-VIS)
ICP-AES Analysis
ICP-MS Analysis
Impurities Analysis
Ion Chromatography
Material Certification
Metal Purity
OES Analysis
On-site PMI
PMI Testing (Positive Material ID)
Particle Size Analysis
Percent Crystallinity
pH
Polymer Testing
Powder Diffraction
Powdered Metal Analysis
Precious Metal Assay
Quantitative Analysis
Resistivity (ASTM D1125)
SEM-EDS
Semi-Quantitative Analysis
Trace Element Analysis
Unknown Alloy Identification
Unknown Material Identification
XRD Analysis
XRF Analysis
OES analysis is performed quickly, easily, and is non-destructive to the material being tested. OES testing can be performed at IMR Test Lab facilities or onsite. OES Analysis provides accurate results.
OES analysis is typically performed in a few hours, with results generated immediately upon completion of the test.
OES analysis is a relatively inexpensive test option for the compositional analysis of materials. Contact us to find your nearest facility or request a quote
RELEVANT ACCREDITATIONS
Click here for a complete list of accreditations and certifications for all IMR Test Labs locations.
