Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Elemental Analysis of Debris

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:

Elemental Analysis of Debris

The madison Group has completed a project with the objective of analyzing the composition of debris. Upon opening a gaylord of resin, a collection of contaminant debris was apparent interspersed within the plastic molding pellets. Contamination can pose a significant problem if molded into plastic parts, and can lead to premature failure. The debris was sampled, and subsequent visual and microscopic examinations revealed exclusively metallic-looking particles.

The debris material was analyzed via energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in conjunction with a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy is a nondestructive chemical microanalysis technique. The technique provides relative elemental concentrations for elements having an atomic weight of 5 and greater.

The SEM inspection revealed that the debris consisted primarily of spherical particles. Some distortion, suggestive of partial melting, was observed. The EDS analysis identified that these particles were primary copper. The spherical nature of the particles, together with signs of melting, was consistent with high-temperature re-solidification, such as weld spatter.

Some additional flakes were also evident within the debris. The analysis showed that these were a combination of zinc with lower amounts of iron and lead.

Further analysis of the debris using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) did not show significant levels of organic-based materials above the detection limits of the spectrometer.

Once this information was relayed back to the resin supplier, it was discovered that electrical maintenance and repair work had been performed in the vicinity where this resin production lot had been stored. Work with copper wiring and conduit at elevated temperature was the likely source of the contamination.

Source:The Madison Group

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