Mobile spark spectrometer Q4 MOBILE analyzes 316 / 316L alloys

Optical emission spectrometers can contribute decisively to prevent accidents. Bruker Elemental’s Q4 MOBILE provides the petrochemical and metals industries with a compact metal analyzer, capable of analyzing the critical carbon content in used steel. The smallest concentrations of carbon in the ppm range impact the steel’s durability, strength and weldability.

Q4 MOBILE performs rapid metal analysis, identification and sorting. The highlight is its mobility. With an optional four-wheeled trolley, the spark spectrometer and accessories easily roll to the place where analysis is needed.

Controlled by an intelligent energy management system, Q4 MOBILE can use any standard power source, even a cigarette lighter in a car. Adaptive Ambient Control (AAC), which adjusts the optics automatically to the ambient temperature, ensures a short preparation time. Long setup times are a thing of the past. Work is carried out with the help of a handy probe, which allows ergonomic handling thanks to the lightweight, flexible hybrid cable, even during prolonged activity. Depending on the requirement, whether in spark or arc excitation, the quick change adapter allows switching the analysis mode in seconds.

For shorter wavelengths such as UV, a rapidly modifiable probe with high resolution optics is available. Thus even the most demanding applications, such as C, S or N determination, are possible. This underlines strongly the outstanding Bruker analytics of the Q4 MOBILE spectrometer.

For 316 and 316L stainless steel alloys, the difference in the carbon concentration is indeed minimal, but this difference is of decisive influence on the respective corrosion behavior. Q4 MOBILE analyzes carbon contents in the corresponding ppm range and can thus clearly determine the respective alloy. The use of components with incorrect element composition is prevented and expensive failures or dangerous accidents avoided. Via a display on the probe, the analyzed alloy designation is directly shown. Nothing could be faster.