With the advent of more and more alloys in the dental industry, the technology for sampling and assaying scrap has evolved into a highly sophisticated process. We use Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP AES) to determine the precious metal content of a sample. This sophisticated unit uses spectral means, based on the physical property of atomic emission and solid-state technology, to analyze the type and quantity of each metal present in the mass.

The completely automated instrumentation ensures fast, precisely accurate assays each and every time. It also minimizes human errors and biases, which are common in traditional assay methods.

The sampling and assaying process includes several steps to accurately determine the types and quantities of precious metal. We prepare a sample of your scrap shipment by melting, crushing, blending and sifting the scrap, then dissolving a sample in acid. By introducing the solution into a high-temperature (10,000°C) plasma, we produce an emission spectrum. Solid-state detectors read the spectrum and simultaneously report the percentages of gold, palladium, platinum and silver present.

To ensure accuracy, we frequently check samples with known content and recalibrate the instrument to exact specifications, if needed.

We know the precious metals industry. For over a century, we have manufactured and distributed dental casting alloys worldwide. And we began refining scrap for the dental industry in the 1960s. Today, we have earned a solid reputation as one of the leading scrap metal refiners in the Western Hemisphere. Our highly experienced, well-trained metallurgists, chemists and technicians are dedicated to providing the most accurate, efficient assays of your precious material.