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Mobile material analysis

With mobile material analysis, a distinction is made between the following test methods:

• Mobile x-ray fluorescence analysis
• Mobile spectral analysis
• PMI (Positive Material Identification) / material identification testing

X-ray fluorescence analysis

Mobile spectral analysis

Precise analysis and identification of a wide variety of materials

IWT GmbH has state-of-the-art equipment for both test methods.

Mobile x-ray fluorescence analysis is mainly used both for high-alloyed metallic materials and non-metallic materials and is completely non-destructive. X-ray fluorescence analysis can even be used for very small or porous components or materials such as welding filler materials, chips, powder, soils and rocks.

Unfortunately, the analysis of carbon, which plays an important role especially in non-alloyed and low-alloyed materials, is not possible. Mobile spectral analysis is used mainly for non-alloyed and low-alloyed materials because it also allows carbon to be measured. High-alloyed materials can also be reliably determined with mobile spectral analysis. The test does, however, leave a focal spot on the component’s surface the size of a 1 cent coin and is slightly more complex than x-ray fluorescence analysis. Non-metals cannot be measured.

Typical areas of application:
In metal recycling, PMI simplifies the metal sorting. Also in the recycling of catalytic converters from cars, PMI provides results quickly and cheaply. In the metalworking industry, fast on-site analyses help to avoid complaints and recourse claims. Here, we can test the material quality at the receipt of goods, production, or final approval stage.

Typical materials:

• Chromium steels, stainless steels, NCT
• Chromium-nickel-molybdenum steels
• Low-alloyed steels
• Tool steels
• Nickel and cobalt-based alloys
• Copper, brass and bronze alloys
• Titanium and aluminium alloys (incl. Mg, Al, Si, P, S)
• Precious metals gold, silver (jewellery alloys)
• Platinum-group elements in catalytic converters of cars

PMI (Positive Material Identification) / Material identification testing

Material identification testing can be carried out both with x-ray fluorescence analysis and mobile spectral analysis. The analysis usually focusses on the main alloying elements of the sought material and is therefore less accurate than a full analysis, but also considerably faster and therefore cheaper.

The goal of PMI is not to produce the most accurate analysis possible, but to avoid any mix up of materials in a safe and economical way. The traceability of materials used is of key importance, so “PMI” is increasingly embedded in project specifications and customer requirements.

Manufacturers are responsible for their products and also for any (externally-purchased) semi-finished products. Past experience has shown that in times of global materials, control is better than trust. We will be glad to support you with our know-how and our testing capability, and help you gain a little bit more security for your product, for your customers, and of course for your company.