Chemical Analysis Services
Chemical analysis is the process of investigating the chemical composition of a sample through separation, identification, and quantification techniques. It is conducted for a wide range of purposes from material identification and characterisation to quality control monitoring. In our extensive and well-equipped laboratories most of the testing is conducted under our UKAS ISO 17025:2017 accreditation (UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 0013).
While many of our testing protocols generally follow standard methodologies (ISO, EN, BS, ASTM, DIN, etc.), we can develop tailored analysis and testing for specific applications. We analyse a wide range of materials, including ceramics, raw materials, mortars, metals, polymers, natural materials, waste streams, gas & air monitoring, components, and consumer products. Data is collected using a combination of instrumental techniques, including X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP), complemented by traditional ‘wet chemistry’ analytical techniques.
Analytical techniques
- FEG-SEM (Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy)
- FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis)
- GC (Gas Chromatography Analysis)
- GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)
- GPC (Gel Permeability Chromatography)
- IC (Ion Chromatography)
- ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry)
- ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy)
- NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)
- SEM/EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive Analysis)
- XRD (X-Ray Diffraction)
- XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry)
Typical applications
These analyses are typically used for:
- quality control testing - to ensure materials and products conform to a specification
- legislative checks - e.g., toxic metals, ROHS, Waste Acceptance Criteria
- identification - re-engineering
- occupational hygiene - toxic metals
- problem solving - contamination, discoloration, corrosion, investigation into abnormal behaviour
Typical materials
We analyse a wide range of materials, including:
- biomedical materials (including calcium phosphates)
- building products
- ceramics (advanced and traditional)
- clay, sand, and rocks
- concrete and mortars
- electrical components
- electroceramics
- gas, biogas & biomethane
- industrial ceramics
- investment castings
- leachates and waters
- metals
- natural stone
- rubbers and plastics
- sanitaryware
- screeds and plasters
- soil and water
- waste streams for disposal and recycling
Please view our extensive UKAS accreditation schedule here, or contact us directly if you have any questions or enquiries.
White Papers
Surface Analysis is assisting the pharmaceutical industry in a number of ways, including counterfeit detection
The surface characterisation of hair fibres can deliver important insights into the performance of hair care products and in the development of improved product formulations
This white paper discusses the power of ToFSIMS across a range of different industries and materials and the specific information and value provided
Case Studies
Testing and reverse engineering of materials
Lucideon testing helps to optimize the coating process of powders
Lucideon assists in identification and prevention of staining of orthopaedic instruments
Characterisation of the surface chemical composition of medical implants
Analysis of failed polymer components in orthopaedic instruments using a range of testing and analysis techniques
Lucideon has worked with Greatbatch Medical to help them gain FDA approval