Monitoring non-metallic inclusions in steel manufacturing

Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled the Thermo Scientific™ ARL iSpark™ 8860 Inclusion Analyzer with Spark-DAT, the latest addition to its ARL iSpark Series Optical Emission Spectrometers. This advanced analyser offers a unique combination of full elemental analysis and rapid characterisation of non-metallic inclusions in steel, allowing steel manufacturers to ensure low inclusion levels during production, preventing issues like nozzle clogging in continuous casting processes.

The ARL iSpark 8860 is the first optical emission spectrometer capable of simultaneously providing full elemental coverage and detailed information on non-metallic inclusions in a single analysis. It identifies and quantifies inclusion features, such as type, number, size, concentration, and volume fraction, enabling real-time control over inclusion content in steel products. This, in turn, helps prevent costly production problems and ensures the mechanical properties of the final products meet the desired standards, reducing the risk of customer claims or product returns.

The ARL iSpark 8860 Inclusion Analyzer from is equipped to conduct advanced elemental analysis and provide comprehensive inclusion data for steel. It incorporates 1m vacuum Paschen-Runge optics featuring photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors and ensures full elemental coverage, encompassing even gas elements. This analyser delivers ultra-fast inclusion analysis and includes a suite of comprehensive inclusion analysis software tools such as Spark Explorer, Inclusions Report, and Statistical Process Control (SPC). Users have the flexibility to customise inclusion analysis methods and receive expert training from Thermo Fisher Scientific. Furthermore, the system can be easily automated using the ARL Sample Manipulation System (SMS), enhancing efficiency in steel manufacturing processes.

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