Cambridge Materials Testing
Chemical Analysis

Inorganic Materials

CMTL uses state-of-the-art instrumentation to analyze both ferrous and non-ferrous matrices for chemical composition. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry and highly developed digestion methods are employed so that steels, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, titanium, copper, nickel, cobalt, zirconium and ferro alloys, as well as tungsten carbide, specialty steels and weld consumables can be accurately analyzed. Leco Infrared Combustion Systems are used for the detection of Carbon and Sulphur as well as the gases Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Hydrogen. Sample preparation by physically milling or drilling the submitted material to collect a homogenous specimen is performed according to the strictest specifications. Non-standard preparation such as annealing or coating removal is also available. Metals are analyzed for conformance to product specification against traceable purchased standards used to verify every analysis performed. The material type/grade can be verified and unknown materials identified by our experienced staff. Other services typically include reverse engineering of products and CMTR data generation.

ASTM Standards ASTM E1019, E1097-07, and E1479-99.

Organic Materials

CMTL analyzes organic materials such as Resins, Inorganics, Stabilizers, Plasticizers, Flame Retardants, Reinforcing Fibers, and Pigments for quality control purposes and to identify polymers and additives.

These materials are tested by microscopic characterization and using a combination of the following instrumentation to satisfy the requirements of producers and buyers.

Chemical resistance testing allows the evaluation of all plastic materials including hot molded, cast, laminates, resinous products, cold molded and sheet materials for resistance to chemical re-agents.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry,
ASTM E1252 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
ASTM D3418 Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)
ASTM E1131 Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
ASTM D1976, D6349 Atomic Absorption (AA), ASTM D4691
Gas Chromatography (GC), ASTM E260
Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometer
(GCMS), ASTM E260
Ion Chromatrography (IC), ASTM D4327
Unknown materials are forensically examined for their nature and possible source by our research staff.
Plastic parts and resins can be analyzed for metal content (copper, titanium dioxide, cadmium, and lead).