Inorganic Analysis

Inorganic analysis involves a variety of analytical methods which can qualitatively or quantitatively determine the inorganic and elemental composition of solids or liquids or aqueous solutions, chemical mixtures, materials or products.  Inorganic components include cations, metals or anions or inorganic salts.  

Identifying unknown inorganic components in your samples requires qualitative screening approaches applied by expert scientists who can select the most suitable routes to sample preparation and develop - and validate - the most appropriate quantitative methods. Accurate determination of trace levels of inorganic components requires precise and accurate analytical instrumentation with interference removal capacity.

Our inorganic analysis experts provide inorganic testing and techniques to  identify and measure inorganic elements within solid and liquid samples. Our specialist experience and knowledge within sample preparation means that we can apply our expertise to a large range of sample types from a wide range of industries including food ingredients, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, chemical formulations, polymers, adhesives, agrichemicals, biocides and consumer products such as electronics, toys and packaging.

By applying our highly sensitive and highly selective modern instrumentation we provide trace level analytical measurement of inorganic elements or trace metals can range from parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb) and parts per trillion (ppt) levels.

We routinely provide inorganic analysis services in relation to appropriate catalyst usage in industry, to contamination detection and analysis and also in assistance with issues such as defending patent infringement and legal claims, and in the verification of specific elements - and stated portions of such elements - within a product.

Inorganic elemental analysis resources

• XRF X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis
• X-Ray Diffraction
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP) Analysis 
  • ICP-OES Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy - Optical Emission Spectroscopy
  • ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy - Mass Spectrometry
   
• Combustion Analysers for common elements (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Sulphur, (CHNOS))
• Microcoulometry
• Working concentration ranges from percent to parts per trillion (ppt)

Inorganic trace analysis

• Elemental Trace Analysis
• Trace Metals Analysis
• Trace Metals in Petroleum
• Chemical Trace Analysis
• Petroleum Trace Analysis
• Contamination Detection and Analysis
• Food contact migration studies e.g. inorganics into food simulants
• Catalyst characterisation and catalyst poisoning problems
• Identifying unique markers, trace elements within a product to defend against copying and legal claims
• Identification of unknowns, competitive materials, unwanted material from production
• Safety assessment, occupational hygiene in the workplace
• Investigation of colour defects in a product, checking for correct polymer additives
• Potential for elemental speciation

Inorganic analysis advantages:

• Techniques are complementary to other methods within Intertek powder X-Ray Diffraction (pXRD) , X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Microscopy
• High sensitivity, high selectivity instrumentation
• Not limited by sample type
• Specialist experience and knowledge for crucial sample preparation
• Work to industry and government regulatory standards, as required
• Fast response and flexibility

With a team of experts in inorganic analysis working to industry or regional standards - for example ISO 17025 or GXP Standards, Intertek can provide the analytical data you require to progress your product development programs or solve problems across a wide range of sample types.