Chemical analysis of engineering materials is performed to determine the type and quantity of various elements such as Fe - Iron, C - Carbon, Mn - Manganese, S - Sulphur, P - Phosphorus, Si - Silicon, Cr -Chromium, Mo - Molybdenum, Ni - Nickel, Ti - Titanium, V - Vanadium, Nb - Niobium, W - Tungsten, Co - Cobalt, Al - Aluminium, Mg - Magnesium, Zn - Zinc, Cu - Copper, Sn - Tin, N - Nitrogen, B - Boron, O - Oxygen, As - Arsenic, Se - Selenium, Pb - Lead, Zr - Zirconium, etc.

The type and quantity of each element ( chemical composition) in a material decides the material grades and it applications.

The chemical composition is used to determine carbon equivalent ( CE ) in welding engineering, Pitting Resistance Equivalent ( PRE) in corrosion resistance industry, Hardenability in heat treatment industry and strength related properties in the engineering applications.

Chemical composition test (chemical analysis) is performed for material identification purpose.

The correct chemical analysis is very important for certain materials such as Nitrogen content in duplex stainless steel and Oxygen in electrical grades Copper.

There are several methods to determine chemical composition of a material ranging from extremely high accuracy to general purpose accuracy.

In today's world the fastest method to determine chemical composition is Optical Emission Spectrometry (O.E.S) followed by X-Ray fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) and Inductive Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Laboratory based OES, XRF, ICP-AES are used for precision measurement of chemical composition and portable OES and XRF equipments are used for field material identification also called as Positive Material Identification ( PMI).

LMATS performs laboratory based chemical analysis using Thermofisher ARL 3640 OES and Varian ICP-AES. LMATS have adequate procedures to collect on-site sample by filing & drilling without reducing the integrity of the structure or components.
( Chemical Analysis of filings and drillings).

LMATS also performs field Positive Material Identification (PMI) using Thermofisher Niton XLI818, Innov-X Systems Alpha 2000 AS.

The testing is performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, in-house procedures and Client's specifications such as EXXON Mobil and ESSO Shell specification.