Resources for Better Material Decisions
Find practical guidance on choosing an analysis, preparing your samples, and understanding your results. Explore AMT’s testing capabilities, pricing, and sample submission information
Prepare & Submit Samples
1. Tell us what you need to learn
Describe your material, the question you want answered, and any specific elements or areas of interest.
2. Confirm sample requirements
Contact AMT before cutting, cleaning, or otherwise preparing your sample so we can confirm the appropriate size, condition, and analysis approach.
3. Label and package your samples
Use a unique ID for each sample and match it to your submission form. Package samples individually to help prevent damage and cross-contamination, and confirm shipping instructions with AMT before sending.
Choose Your Analysis
Elemental Composition — What’s in your material?
Identify which elements are present in your solid sample. Tell us whether you need to investigate unexpected elements, compare samples, or measure specific elemental concentrations.
Elemental Mapping — Where are the elements?
Explore how elements are distributed across a surface. Mapping can help investigate localized contamination, inclusions, and differences between areas.
Depth Profiling — How does composition change beneath the surface?
Examine how elemental composition changes as successive layers are analyzed. This can help investigate coatings, surface treatments, and transitions between materials.
Understand Your Results
Presence and concentration answer different questions
Identifying an element tells you it is present. Measuring its concentration tells you how much is there. Ask whether your analysis provides qualitative identification or quantitative results.
The area tested matters
A result describes the locations and depths analyzed. If your material varies across a part, coating, or batch, discuss where to test and how many samples to submit.
“Not detected” does not always mean absent
An element may be below the detection limit for the analysis. Interpret results alongside the reported units, detection limits, and method notes.
Connect the findings to your decision
Tell AMT what you need to determine—such as comparing materials, investigating contamination, or evaluating a coating—so we can discuss what the results support and whether further testing would help.
Explore Our Report Format
Preview AMT’s Certificate of Analysis template to see how sample details, findings, and analysis results are organized. Depending on the services performed, reports may include elemental composition tables, surface maps, or depth profiles, along with interpretation and method limitations.
This blank template illustrates the report structure and does not contain actual sample results.
Downloads
AMT Pricing Guide
Review our published analysis options and pricing to help plan your testing project.
AMT Capabilities Overview
Explore the materials we analyze and our options for elemental composition, surface mapping, and depth profiling.
Common Questions
What materials can AMT analyze?
AMT analyzes solid materials including alloys, ceramics, powders, coatings, and minerals. Contact us to discuss your material and the question you need answered.
How do I choose the right analysis?
Start with what you need to learn: which elements are present, their concentrations, where they are located, or how composition changes with depth. AMT can help you choose an approach suited to your sample.
Do I need to prepare my sample before sending it?
Contact AMT before cutting, cleaning, polishing, or otherwise altering your sample. Preparation requirements depend on the material and analysis requested.
Can I request testing for a specific requirement?
Yes. Share the relevant specification, target elements, concentration limits, or acceptance criteria before testing so AMT can confirm whether the proposed analysis will meet your needs.