subject: Comparing Chemical Analysis Of Metals With Mechanical Testing Of Metals [print this page] Comparing Chemical Analysis Of Metals With Mechanical Testing Of Metals
The purpose of chemical analysis of metals is to determine the composition and therefore the classification of these materials according to standards of reference. All metallurgical investigations will start by determining the composition of the sample material through a variety of testing procedures including scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical emission spectrometry, atomic absorption and electrolytic methods.
Mechanical testing of metals can likewise be employed for materials classification, but it is also used for a wide variety of other purposes including evaluating the resistance characteristics of the material, investigating the changing mechanical characteristics of the material under given conditions as well as machinability and structure considerations.
When testing the mechanical properties of metals, results depend upon the size and shape of the material, how it is held and how the test is performed, which is why common procedures or standards are used so that all materials are subject to the same processes. The chemical analysis of metals is also subject to certain conditions and procedures, which allow testing to be standardised to give a fair result.
The only way to learn about the properties of a given material is to subject it to testing. When it is necessary to learn about the mechanical properties of metals, a variety of tests can be conducted to ascertain the plastic deformation, tensile strength, hardness, ductility and resistance of the metal in question.
This kind of mechanical testing of metals allow metallurgical laboratories, manufacturers and other users or producers of metals to examine and evaluate the quality and strength of these metals and determine whether or not they are suitable for their intended use.
Chemical analysis of metals is also used to determine the suitability of materials for their end use. It can be helpful in identifying the presence of toxic metals, to investigate abnormal behaviour of materials and to ensure whether the specified metals pass legislative checks such as Waste Acceptance Criteria or ROHS.
