Interlaboratory Examination of the Analysis of Thick Steel Plate using Optical Emission Spectrometry

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 312/1986

By S M Stevens

Background

Direct reading optical emission spectrometry (OES) was used in a collaborative trial involving the analysis of three low alloy steel plates. Seven laboratories participated and analysed the steels using their normal calibrations. The plates were analysed in four ways: directly on the top and bottom surfaces, on the plate cross-section (side) and after remelting full thickness samples into buttons. The precision, reproducibility, repeatability, reproducibility indices, and the accuracy of the analyses were examined for the plate sides and remelted buttons, and  the accuracy of the results obtained by analysing the top and bottom surfaces. The data obtained for individual elements (C, S, P, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Cu and Al) were compared with the results of analyses by standardised wet chemical methods.