Optical Emission Spectrometry (abbreviated as OES) is an analytical method for accurately determining the content of alloying elements in metals. By applying a high voltage, an arc is struck between a tungsten electrode and the metal surface to be measured. This all takes place in an enclosed measurement chamber under protection of pure Argon gas.
During the measurement, a very small portion of the material surface is melted and vaporized, forming light. The formed light (spectrum) in the arc is determined by the composition of the material being measured. This light spectrum, consisting of visible and UV light, can then be analyzed by the measurement unit and converted by a calculation method into mass percentages of the various elements present in the measured material.
Materials Testing Veendam has a mobile OES instrument that also allows on-site measurements, for example in piping and tank construction, shipyards, and the petrochemical industry, etc. Chemical compositions can be determined for various types of steel, such as carbon and stainless steels, but aluminum alloys are also among the possibilities. Materials Testing Veendam performs these measurements under accreditation from the RvA.
