Study on metallic materials: meb-edx, chemical analysis seo or icp, sdl, etc.

Metallic materials studies encompass a range of physicochemical and mechanical analyses designed to characterize the composition, microstructure, and properties of metals and alloys used in demanding industrial environments. These analyses are essential for understanding a material's behavior, validating its conformity to specifications, identifying the source of non-conformity, and supporting research and development. They are relevant to numerous sectors, including industrial engineering, aerospace, energy, technical packaging materials, and metal recycling and recovery.

General principle of metallurgical analyses

The study of a metallic material relies on a multi-technical approach combining microstructural observation, chemical analysis, and mechanical testing. Each technique provides complementary information, enabling a comprehensive diagnosis of the material. The analysis can be performed on a finished product, a semi-finished part, a production sample, or a material that has experienced in-service failure. The results allow for the evaluation of the metallurgical quality, conformity to a given grade, compositional homogeneity, and mechanical strength of the material.

Scanning electron microscopy and EDX analysis

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a central tool in the study of metallic materials. It allows for high-resolution observation of the microstructure, visualizing grains, metallurgical phases, inclusions, porosities, cracks, and wear zones. SEM is particularly useful in failure analysis, understanding fracture mechanisms, and evaluating heat and surface treatments.
Coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) , microscopy enables the identification of the local elemental composition of the material. EDX is used to detect the presence of alloying elements, contaminants, non-metallic inclusions, and corrosion deposits. It provides a precise chemical map of the analyzed areas, essential for interpreting observed heterogeneities.

Chemical analysis by SEO or ICP

The overall chemical analysis of the material can be performed by optical emission spectrometry (OES) or by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-OES or ICP-MS), depending on the required precision and the range of elements being analyzed.
OES is commonly used to rapidly determine the elemental composition of metals and alloys, particularly for grade identification and quality control in production.
ICP techniques, on the other hand, allow for very detailed analysis, including the detection of trace elements. They are particularly well-suited for regulatory studies, metal recycling, the characterization of complex materials, and the validation of demanding specifications. These analyses ensure the material's compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.

Mechanical testing and SDL

SDLs (often associated with mechanical limits or strength tests) complement the study by adding a functional dimension. These tests allow for the evaluation of the material's resistance to mechanical stress, the identification of its elastic or plastic limits, and the correlation of mechanical properties with the chemical composition and observed microstructure. In the context of failure analysis, this data is essential for understanding the causes of premature failure or performance loss.

Industrial applications

Metallic material studies are used in numerous industrial contexts. In engineering and aeronautics, they enable the validation of critical alloys, the inspection of safety-critical components, and the optimization of heat treatments. In the energy sector, they are essential for evaluating the performance of materials subjected to extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, or corrosion. For metal recycling and recovery, these analyses allow for the identification of compositions, the sorting of materials, and the assurance of the quality of recycled materials. In packaging and technical materials, they contribute to controlling mechanical performance and durability.

Analyzed matrices

Analyses can be performed on ferrous and non-ferrous metals, aluminum, steel, copper, and nickel alloys, recycled materials, metal powders, machined parts, industrial components, and corroded or fractured samples. Studies can focus on surfaces, metallographic sections, or complete parts, depending on the objective.

Added value YesWeLab

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of specialized metallurgy laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for electron microscopy, chemical analysis, and mechanical testing. The majority of our partners are ISO 17025 and COFRAC certified or accredited, guaranteeing the reliability of the results. Our scientific team assists you in defining the analysis plan, selecting the most relevant techniques, and interpreting the data. Since 2020, manufacturers, engineering firms, and recycling companies have trusted us for the centralized management of their analyses via our digital platform.

Related analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

To complement a study on metallic materials, the following analyses can be combined:

• Corrosion analysis and accelerated aging
• Mechanical tests (tensile strength, fatigue, hardness)
• In-depth SEM-EDS analysis
• Particle size analysis of metallic powders