According to Thermo Fisher, the ARL Spark Companion pairs a multi-optics complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) detector with a compact spark source, aiming to move alloy verification out of external laboratories and closer to production.
In a recent press release, Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Thermo Scientific ARL Spark Companion OES Metal Analyzer, which is a benchtop spark optical emission spectrometry (Spark-OES) system designed for routine metal composition analysis and quality control (QC).1,2 According to the company, the typical analysis time is approximately 25 seconds, depending on the application.
Spark-OES is a well-established technique for elemental analysis of solid metal samples.1,2 An electrical discharge between an electrode and the sample surface ablates and excites material, and the emitted light is dispersed and measured at element-specific wavelengths to determine composition.1,2 In foundries and metal processing operations, these results inform melt corrections, grade verification, and material release decisions, where turnaround time can directly affect production.1–3
According to Thermo Fisher, laboratories whose routine applications do not require the full capabilities of a high-end floor-standing spectrometer would benefit the most from this new instrument. Because sending samples to external laboratories does delay decision, Thermo Fisher wanted their analyzer to be in benchtop format so it can facilitate in-house testing closer to the point of production.1,2
According to Wilhelm Sanders, who is an OES Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, this new analyzer is designed to also be able to be used as a complementary or backup instrument alongside a laboratory-grade system.
“Metals producers rely on different instruments for different tasks, and routine quality control deserves a system built specifically for it,” said Wilhelm Sanders, OES Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific.2 “Labs can use it on its own or alongside our ARL 3460 and ARL 4460 floor-standing systems, matching the right instrument to each application.”
The ARL Spark Companion OES Metal Analyzer uses a multi-optics complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) detector system operating in a controlled vacuum environment.1,2 According to the company, this configuration supports elemental analysis across common metal matrices.
The system also contains vacuum optical paths. This feature enables the measurement of emission lines below roughly 200 nm, which are otherwise absorbed by atmospheric oxygen.1,2 These lines include those used to determine elements such as carbon, phosphorus, and sulfur in steel.1,2
The analyzer ships with factory-calibrated methods for iron and steel, aluminum, copper, and other common non-ferrous alloys, with the matrices covered depending on the calibration packages selected.1,2
Meanwhile, instrument control and data handling run through Thermo Fisher’s Spark Navigator software.1,2 The Spark Navigator software provides grade identification and verification, customizable results displays, certificate printing, and data export options.2,3 The software is designed to guide operators from sample identification through grade verification to final results.2,3
To support day-to-day use, the system offers built-in maintenance management, instrument diagnostics, an open spark stand, and a mode designed to reduce argon usage.1–3 Because the spark stand must be purged with argon to keep atmospheric gases from interfering during excitation, argon represents an ongoing expense in spark-OES operation.1–3
According to the company, there are several applications that the Spark-OES is best suited for. Some of these applications include melt correction and process control in foundries, incoming material inspection and alloy and grade identification in metal processing and fabrication, scrap sorting and alloy composition analysis in metals recycling, and final product QC and certification, including for automotive and aerospace supply chains.1,2
The launch reflects a broader division in metals analysis between high-performance floor-standing spectrometers used for demanding applications, such as trace-level determinations and research, and smaller instruments dedicated to high-throughput, routine grade checks.1–3 By offering a benchtop system with fixed factory calibrations alongside its existing floor-standing models, Thermo Fisher is targeting operations that want to separate routine QC from more specialized analytical work on the same production floor.1–3
