Sintered hardmetals analysis
The test method specifies determination of Ti, Ta, Co, Nb, W, Fe in complicated carbides, hardmetal carbide mixtures and preliminary sintered hardmetals.
The sample material for analysis is powder. The sample material is grinded to the particle size less than 70 micron with a grinder, which doesn’t infect the specimen with elements of interest. Then the sample material is pressed in a boron acid cup.
Boron acid cup is pressed out with a shaped punch being at least 3 mm deep. Sample material is put into the cup and pressed with a flat punch into a pellet.
The pellet put into the sample holder and then into spectrometer. Analysis is carried out automatically according to the chosen program. The program can determine all elements (oxides) listed in the test method or some of those elements by choice.
The standard test method includes analysis according to ISO 4503-78 with fusing the sample material with borate flux and to ISO 4883-78, when the sample material is dissolved and the solution is analyzed.
The standard test method specifies element mass content determination in the ranges listed in the table:
| Element | Mass content range, % |
| Ti | 1,0 -40,0 |
| Ta | 0,1 – 35,0 |
| Co | 1,0 – 60,0 |
| Fe | 0,01 – 3,0 |
| Nb | 0,05 – 15,0 |
| W | 45,0–95,0 |