Similar to Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES), Glow Discharge/Mass Spectrometry (GDMS) is used extensively for metal analysis. The linear dynamic calibration ranges similar to ICP makes this technique particularly attractive for the analysis of stainless steel, nickel, aluminum and copper alloys.

"Qualitative depth profiling" is an application associated with our Glow Discharge/Mass Spectrometry, providing advanced capabilities in chemical depth profiling and is particularly useful for surface analysis. The Glow Discharge/Mass Spectrometry analysis is conducted at incremental depths starting from the surface of the material. A full spectrum of the Glow Discharge/Mass Spectrometry analysis is then graphically presented which represents exactly the concentrations of all the pertinent elements with respect to the depth profile. This GDMS technique has many applications and is extremely useful for the analysis of metallurgical surface treatments and coatings. It is also a valuable analytical tool for corrosion investigation work. Typical GDMS applications include evaluation of metallic coating problems, determination of root cause of dull or discoloured regions, phosphorous concentration in electroless nickel, analysis of electroplated or hot-dipped galvanize, galvalume, galfan and galvanneal, evaluation of heat treated components (surface / case treatment), profiling of carburized, nitrided and carbonitrided surfaces. Routine coating evaluation, including composition, coating thickness and coating weight, adhesion problems are also addressed via Glow Discharge/Mass Spectrometry.