APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING THE COMPOSITION OF METAL PARTICLES

摘要

Apparatus for analyzing the composition of metal particles. The apparatus includes a cup (30) which, when filled to maximum capacity will hold substantially the same amount of metal particles each time it is filled, and has a profile that diverts any excess particles away from the cup. A vessel (44) is provided for receiving the particles from the cup and for dissolving the particles when a solvent is sent to the vessel (44). A known amount of solvent is directed to the vessel to dissolve the particles and thereby provide a dissolved sample of metal for analysis. An optical emissions spectrometer (59) receives the dissolved sample and is employed to produce emission spectra from the dissolved sample. The spectra is compared to emission spectra produced by a known amount of a known alloy of the same metal as the sample metal to determine the composition of the sample metal.