New laboratory proving to be a positive initiative for Insimbi Group

The brand new unit has emerged as a service that symbolises know-how for the foundry, chemical and metal related industries.

The onset of the global pandemic saw countries across the globe searching for vital testing resources to identify and combat the spread of COVID-19. This continues today as the world tries to fast-track the research and the implementation of a vaccine. The experience has highlighted the need to have qualitative testing and analysis operations in place in case a need like this unexpectedly arises.

Completely unrelated to the pandemic crisis the Insimbi Group had already planned and commissioned a stand-alone business operation within the Group, at the end of 2019.

“The Insimbi Group Laboratory is a stand-alone business operation of the Insimbi Group. This provides a suitable environment for impartiality and confidentiality to all laboratory customers. Our services are provided to a wide variety of customers in various chemical and metal related industries,” explained the Group’s Technical Officer Justin de Beer.

“The laboratory’s activities are conducted in compliance with international standards and best practices and include a full suite of services for accurate determination of analysis, from sampling, sample preparation, analysis through appropriate methods and sample retention and disposal. Our laboratory is well equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and is ready to assist with your chemical analysis needs. Additionally, certificates of analysis are verified and issued for complete accountability and traceability.”

Insimbi have purchased a Spectro SPECTROMAXx for analysis performed on solid metal shapes in the chill cast, extruded or cast forms

“The concept of the Insimbi Group having its own laboratory was mooted through the acquisitional and organic growth period that the Group has experienced in recent years.”

“Essentially Insimbi’s business revolves around supplying alloys, raw materials and other ancillary products that are critical to the manufacturing process in the various industries. These products are sourced locally and internationally or manufactured by one of the company divisions. For example, the various aluminium products in the form of aluminium pellets, ingots and other shapes.”

“The development of the beneficiation of materials that the Group supplies, has been a driver. An example of this is the manufacture of non-ferrous billet. This needs constant analysis during manufacture and certificates of analysis are verified and issued for complete accountability and traceability.”

“For laboratories running inorganic elemental analysis of a broad range of samples, microwave sample preparation provides the high-temperature, high-pressure digestion needed to deliver quick, complete sample digestion and allows for total elemental analysis. We purchased a microwave sample preparation system for this area of analysis.”

“The laboratory is fully equipped to perform chemical analysis on a wide range of inorganic materials, with specialisation in base metals, metal alloys, ferro alloys and other alloying additives. Analysis is performed using validated methods against certified reference materials to ensure accuracy of results.”

“Complementary to our chemical analysis services are metallography, particle size analysis and moisture testing.”

Multi-element analysis by ICP-AES
“The laboratory performs multi-element analysis on metals, ferro-alloys and mineral samples by wet chemistry using the latest technology in dual-view ICP spectrometry. The dual view system allows for accurate determination of both high and low concentration elements simultaneously. Samples are prepared by either microwave digestion or fusion prior to analysis, allowing for the chemical composition of even the most difficult of samples to be successfully determined.”

Carbon, sulphur, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen
“Accurate measurement of carbon and sulphur by combustion and infrared detection in inorganic samples. Gas content analysis by inert gas fusion provides the oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen levels in various metals and alloys.”

Arc/Spark-OES
“Spectrographic analysis is performed on solid metal shapes in the chill cast, extruded or cast forms.”

“Our laboratory is capable of determining the analysis of aluminium, copper and iron base alloys, which is quickly and efficiently achieved through traditional arc/spark-OES. Our library of international reference materials provides confidence in the accuracy of the results.”

Equipment
“Our equipment includes an ICP that provides multi-element analysis using the same technology as a spark spectrometer, but provides a wider range of elements and concentration ranges. We have purchased a compact ICP-OES system, to perform this analysis.”

“A carbon and sulphur analyser that gives you the determination of carbon and sulphur in inorganic materials by combustion and IR measurement. This is the industry standard for accurate total carbon and sulphur analysis. We purchased an instrument for the determination of carbon and sulphur in organic as well as inorganic samples.”

“A carbon and sulphur analyser that gives you the determination of carbon and sulphur in inorganic materials by combustion and IR measurement. This is the industry standard for accurate total carbon and sulphur analysis. We purchased an instrument for the determination of carbon and sulphur in organic as well as inorganic samples.”

“Additionally, we have an oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen analyser. Dissolved gases are measured in an inert atmosphere after fusion in a high frequency furnace.”

“A spectrometer gives us the ability for analysis of aluminium, copper, cast iron and steels by arc/spark. The spectrometer provides a quick and accurate measure of the composition of solid metals and alloys.”

“For laboratories running inorganic elemental analysis of a broad range of samples, microwave sample preparation provides the high-temperature, high-pressure digestion needed to deliver quick, complete sample digestion and allows for total elemental analysis. We purchased a microwave sample preparation system for this area of analysis.”

A general view of the main laboratory

“Our optical microscope for metal samples is capable of grain size measurement and phase analysis and the laboratory has all of the necessary sample preparation equipment.”

“We are grateful that we took the decision to add laboratory services to the portfolio of services and products the Group offers. Our expert technical services provide our valued customers with support and solutions that contribute to the optimisation of their processes. Our support team has many years of ‘hands on’ experience combined with in-depth knowledge of both processes and materials. Through the support of our well-equipped laboratory and technicians we are able to make full analysis of chemical and metal related industries.”

“This includes other suppliers of raw materials. They can make use of our services and analysis will be kept confidential.”

For further details contact Insimbi Alloy Supplies on TEL: 011 902 6930 or 011 865 8800 or visit
www.insimbi-group.co.za