SERVICES » INVESTIGATIVE & CUSTOM ANALYTICAL
Trace’s expertise and analytical capabilities are available to solve unusual problems. Identification of unknowns, trace impurities, process trouble-shooting and sources of contamination are examples of the custom services we can provide.
Investigative
Experiencing problems with different product lot numbers? Trace employs a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) used in full scan mode to help determine the differences between lot numbers.
Trace can also look for compounds that might be interfering with a manufacturing process. The GC/MS has an extensive library of spectra developed by the National Institute of Standards. The software searches the database to match spectra found in your sample with known compounds and provides a probability match percentage. For example, a client contacted us to determine why paint was not adhering to specific locations on their manufactured parts. Using the GC/MS, we were able to determine that the client was handling the parts using their bare hands. The natural oils from the employees’ fingers left behind a residue, preventing the paint from adhering.
Having a problem with metal residue, but not sure of the source? Our ICP is capable of scanning for over 67 metals simultaneously including heavy, earth and rare metals, providing us with a qualitative analysis. Based on this analysis, we then run a quantitative analysis to provide you with a result that will help pinpoint the source of the problem.
Custom Analytical
Our method development team has extensive knowledge in determining the most appropriate method to meet your needs and budget.
We once had a client contact us to analyze specific analytes by gas chromatograph in a very acidic matrix. Our team was able to develop a process to neutralize the effect of the acidic matrix without compromising the compounds of interest or negatively affecting the instrument.
In another instance, a client needed to determine the cause of pipe deterioration. Through exhaustive study and method development, we were able to determine that the product gave off fumes that were acidic at specific temperatures. This provided the client with a temperature range in which the product could be used where the acidic fumes were not released.