Recalibration Samples
for mobile spectrometers
Mobile spectrometers are generally used for "front line" identification testing. Usually the alloy elements are sufficient for such testing; accompanying and trace elements are not usually asked for.
Stationary spectrometers are generally used to determine all relevant elements, including any accompanying and trace elements which, according to Quality Standard or agreement between producer and user ,must not exceed maximum contents.
The number of elements in recalibration samples for mobile spectrometers is therefore less than for stationary spectrometers. This does not mean that homogeneity and precision may be poorer, however, particularly in the case of recalibration samples for mobile spectrometers with SDAR (spark discharge in argon).
As the alloy elements to be examined are the same for mobile and stationary spectrometers, the contents of these elements must also be the same.
From the recalibration samples required for stationary spectrometers SUS have "derived" (mainly for low-alloy steel and Al base metal) recalibration samples for mobile spectrometers.
| Type of sample | Stationary | Mobile |
| Low-alloy steel | RN 13 + RN 14 | RN 16 + RN 17 |
| Al-base | RA 18 + RA 19 | RA 16 + RA 17 |
Fe comparison samples for mobile spectrometers
Mobile spectrometers, particularly those with arc or spark discharges in air, are mostly used for identification testing of metals. In so doing, determination of chemical elements in the usual sense, using calibration curves, is not often carried out but the spectral intensities of test pieces are compared with those of comparison samples (within preset tolerances). If they are within the tolerances, the quality is the same as that of the comparison sample.
SUS have assembled a set of camparison samples of frequently used steels. The analyses were carried out on a number of spectrometers calibrated with international certified reference samples, so that these comparison samples are themselves reference samples in accordance with ISO 9000. The comparison samples are 40mm in diameter and 30mm high. Other heights on request.
