Book Description

The analyst should familiarize himself with the metals and alloys he expects to encounter including normal processing methods involved in fabricating the finished products. He should become familiar with the flow diagrams and procedures for determining constituent alloys in the various metal families listed in this publication. Normal cleaning processes must be observed on metals at test areas to remove dirt, grease, oxides, or metallic coatings such as nickel, zinc, tin, aluminum, etc., prior to performing a test. Cleaning solvents, files, or abrasives can be used as applicable. After properly cleaning the test area, the analyst should follow detailed instructions for each test relative to chemicals used, number of drops, and time allowed for each reaction. Procedures for determining constituent alloys in various metal families can be used independently of the flow diagrams; however, some tests on the flow diagrams refer the analyst to tests listed in the metal family procedures. Qualitative analysis can be performed on unknown metals and alloys by following the procedures for determining alloys in a given alloy family.