Test for Steel Composition
Test for Steel Composition
(OP)
What is the best test for determining the composition of an unknown steel? I have a sample that I am going to have sent out, and I'm wondering what the best/cheapest method is for determining the composition. Also, what is a good ballpark for how much a test like this will cost?
Thanks,
Jeff
Thanks,
Jeff





RE: Test for Steel Composition
nother option is optical emission, but many labs won't certify the results using this technique. ICP-AES is typically when when the sample size is simply too small for X-ray or other standard methods.
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: Test for Steel Composition
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: Test for Steel Composition
RE: Test for Steel Composition
In my experience, optical emission is the standard method for chemical analysis in steels. I believe nearly all of the steel mills these days use OES for their ladle analyses (at least, all of the ones I have visited) and is the basis of their chemical analysis certification.
And, like mrfailure states, I would expect anywhere $125-$150 per sample at most labs for low-alloy steels (8 to 12 elements). Uncommon elements and dissolved gasses would be more, mostly because most spectrometers are not set-up for them and alternate analyses must be done.
rp
RE: Test for Steel Composition
RE: Test for Steel Composition
I have yet to work for a steel manufacturer who certifies their chemical analyses using optical emission spectroscopy (and I have worked in several steel mills). Most do have OEs on site, but from what I have seen they do not certify heat chemistries using them. What manufacturers do this that you know of?
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: Test for Steel Composition
RE: Test for Steel Composition
In the spirit of non-commercialism, I won't mention any speciifc names. I will say I've been in mills in Texas, Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, as well as France. I saw at least half of them using OES while I was there. I'll admit that I did not see them run chemistries at the other mills, but I'd assume they were using OES. Now, this is based on experience over the base 20-25 years
At the mill in France, they did mention that they were considering adding another OES on the melt-shop floor, but mentioned that it was decided not to, since "a man with two watches never knows what time it is".
rp
RE: Test for Steel Composition
I have audited ~ 10 steel mills in the North America, and also worked at one mini-mill earlier in my career. Certification for carbon and alloy steels is performed according to ASTM E415 (Atomic emission spectroscopy or OES) and E1019 (combustion for C, S, On, N). This is the standard for automotive and general industrial customers. It is possible that highly alloyed grades (stainless steels, tool steels, etc.) use other methods in addition to or in place of these standards, but that is outside my area of expertise.
RE: Test for Steel Composition
After consulting my invoice for chemical analysis I noted that I was charged $250, but it was for analyzing two test specimens, not one. I was charged $125/sample, which is right in line with the pricing that everyone else reported in this thread. I should have waited to post only after confirming what I was actually being charged for, but was in too much of a hurry to type a response. Making two mistakes in a single post is very unusual, and is quite disturbing to me. This tells me that I have been far too busy lately.
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com