Major, minor, and trace alloying elements
single-point grade check
Material Analysis · Composition & Elemental
Spark Optical Emission Spectroscopy (Spark-OES)
Characterise major, minor, and trace alloying elements, grade identification, and composition uniformity across locations using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£150 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 8 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Thermo Fisher ARL iSpark PlusBruker Q8 MAGELLAN
- Typical outputs
- Elemental composition tableAlloy-grade comparisonCalibration and replicate burn summaryProcessed spectra
Why this service
What Spark-OES can help you understand
Spark Optical Emission Spectroscopy is selected when the project needs defensible information on major, minor, and trace alloying elements, grade identification, or composition uniformity across…
Grade identification
multi-burn average
Composition uniformity across locations
mapping of batch or component variation
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Single-point grade check
major, minor, and trace alloying elements
- Best used when
- major, minor, and trace alloying elements
- Typical result
- Elemental composition table
- Preparation note
- Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates.
Multi-burn average
grade identification
- Best used when
- grade identification
- Typical result
- Alloy-grade comparison
- Preparation note
- Confirm dimensions, cutting permission and whether the original geometry must be preserved.
Mapping of batch or component variation
composition uniformity across locations
- Best used when
- composition uniformity across locations
- Typical result
- Calibration and replicate burn summary
- Preparation note
- Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Elemental composition table reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Alloy-grade comparison supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Calibration and replicate burn summary provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed spectra included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Test coupon / specimen | Provide labelled specimens prepared to the agreed geometry, orientation and surface condition. | Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates. |
| Solid / component | Provide a clean, stable and clearly labelled specimen with the target face or region identified. | Confirm dimensions, cutting permission and whether the original geometry must be preserved. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for Spark Optical Emission Spectroscopy?
Provide test coupon / specimen, solid / component as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For major, minor, and trace alloying elements, start with single-point grade check; add multi-burn average when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 8 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Calibration is alloy-family specific. Thin coatings, small parts, cast heterogeneity, and poor surface preparation can bias results.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope Spark-OES correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth