News
News
Highly repeatable carbon analysis of high-carbon materials to support R&D and stable manufacturing processes
HORIBA, Ltd. (hereinafter “HORIBA”) announces the launch of the EMIA-20XC, the latest addition to its EMIA-Expert series of carbon and sulfur analyzers, specifically designed for the analysis of high-carbon materials.
The EMIA-20XC provides stable and highly repeatable carbon measurements for high-carbon materials such as tungsten carbide, a key hard phase in cemented carbide materials, which are widely used in cutting tools and wear-resistant components.
In cemented carbide production, the carbon balance can influence phase constitution and material properties such as hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. Accurate control of carbon content is therefore important for maintaining consistent product quality.
HORIBA has developed a dedicated detection unit for high-carbon measurements and established optimized measurement conditions for high-carbon-content materials. Under the specified measurement conditions, the EMIA-20XC achieves a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.15% or less in repeated measurements of a tungsten carbide reference sample, demonstrating a high level of repeatability.*1
The EMIA-20XC also offers two operating modes. XC Mode is optimized for highly repeatable measurements of high carbon concentrations, while Standard Mode is designed to measure lower concentrations of carbon and sulfur. Depending on the operating mode and sample mass, the instrument covers a broad concentration range—from 0.6 ppm to 20.0% for carbon and from 0.6 ppm to 1.0% for sulfur.*2
By consolidating analyses across a broad concentration range in a single instrument, the EMIA-20XC can help improve analytical efficiency and simplify laboratory setup.
Nobuyuki Naka, Head of the Materials and Semiconductor Technology Division, said, “High-carbon materials can be challenging to measure because the combustion behavior of a sample may vary during heating, making stable carbon analysis difficult. To address this challenge, we applied the infrared gas analysis technology that HORIBA has developed over many years and incorporated a dedicated detection unit for high-carbon measurements. The EMIA-20XC enables stable and highly repeatable carbon analysis of high-carbon-content materials. We will continue to support research and development and the stabilization of manufacturing processes through our proprietary material analysis solutions.”
*1 Based on repeated measurements of a standard tungsten carbide powder sample under specified measurement conditions. Results may vary depending on sample composition, homogeneity, concentration, particle size, pretreatment, calibration, and other measurement conditions. The specified RSD is not guaranteed for all sample types.
*2 Measurement ranges depend on the operating mode, sample mass, and other measurement conditions. Please contact HORIBA to confirm the feasibility of specific applications and recommended measurement conditions.
