FAQs about analytics, CRM, and technical support
QuantAnalitica supports laboratories, industries, and research centers in selecting analytical instruments, certified reference materials, sample preparation solutions, and specialized technical support. This FAQ page contains answers to frequently asked questions about analytical instruments, laboratory technologies, selection criteria, quality control, CRM, and related technical services, with content designed for those working in chemical and materials analysis.
The FAQs are organized into three thematic areas to simplify navigation and help laboratories, industries, and research centers quickly find the most relevant information.
QuantAnalitica, technical support and application areas
Who is QuantAnalitica and what does it do?
QuantAnalitica is a technical and scientific partner specializing in analytical instruments, certified reference materials, consumables, and sample preparation solutions. The company supports laboratories, industries, and research centers that require reliable, traceable, and consistent analytical data for their applications.
Who is QuantAnalitica aimed at?
QuantAnalitica is a technical and scientific partner specializing in analytical instruments, certified reference materials, consumables, and sample preparation solutions. The company focuses on supporting laboratories, industries, and research centers in achieving their quality objectives by providing technologies, products, and services that deliver reliable, traceable, and consistent analytical data for their applications.
Does QuantAnalitica only sell tools or does it also offer technical support?
QuantAnalitica doesn’t just supply the tool. We also support clients through the technical evaluation, start-up, training, and business continuity phases, ensuring the chosen technology is truly useful in their day-to-day work and over the long term.
How do you choose the most suitable analytical technology?
The right choice always starts with the application. The sample matrix, the analytes to be determined, the concentration range, the required level of precision, the response speed, the operating environment, and any method constraints all play a role. When these factors are considered together, the technology is no longer a generic choice but a solution consistent with the real-world context.
Why is it useful to rely on a partner that takes care of tools, CRM and applications?
Because analytical results don’t depend on a single element. Instrumentation, sample preparation, reference materials, and the method must work together seamlessly. Having a single technical contact helps reduce setup errors, poorly targeted purchases, and compatibility issues between technology and application.
How do support, training, and certifications impact the quality of analytical data?
They have a direct impact. A well-chosen instrument can still be underutilized or generate critical issues if not installed, configured, and properly integrated into the workflow. Technical support, training, and calibration help ensure consistent operating conditions, reduce initial errors, and maintain more stable results over time.
Analytical technologies: differences, selection criteria and contexts of use
When does it make sense to use handheld XRF technology?
Portable XRF is particularly useful when rapid and generally non-destructive elemental analysis of solid materials is required. It is used in metals, alloys, geology, cement, ceramics, soils, and materials testing, especially when speed of operation and immediate results are key.
What is the difference between portable XRF and benchtop XRF?
Portable XRF is designed for rapid measurements in the field, in production, or at material acceptance. Benchtop XRF, on the other hand, operates in a more controlled environment and is often preferred when structured routines, greater analytical stability, and more accurate sample management are required. The choice depends primarily on where the measurement is being made, the required response times, the importance of mobility, and the level of detail required.
XRF or OES: Which technology should you choose for metal analysis?
It depends on the analysis objective. XRF is highly appreciated for its speed, simplicity, and non-destructive analysis, while OES is often indicated when a more in-depth chemical characterization of metal alloys is required. These two technologies should not be rigidly contrasted: in many contexts, they are complementary and meet different operational needs.
When is it appropriate to use OES spectrometry?
OES is often the correct choice when detailed chemical characterization of metal alloys is needed. It is a very sensitive analysis technique and particularly relevant in metallurgy and metal quality control, where it may be necessary to distinguish very similar materials or check compositions against defined technical specifications, check melt flows and detect the amount of carbon or nitrogen in steels.
When is ICP-OES a good choice?
ICP-OES is recommended when multielemental analyses are required using the wet method with good sensitivity and analytical productivity. It is a widely used technology in environmental, industrial, and research laboratories, especially when multiple elements must be reliably measured at low concentrations, even sub-ppm. The key factor is always the consistency between the technique, the matrix, and the analytical objective.
ICP-OES or ICP-MS: What's the difference?
The main difference lies in the required sensitivity level and the type of application. ICP-OES is often used for robust and versatile multielement analyses; ICP-MS comes into play when very low detection limits are required, trace or ultra-trace determinations, isotopic or speciation studies.
In which cases is AAS still a valid solution?
AAS remains a useful technology in many laboratories, especially when the analysis focuses on one or a few elements and a consolidated, reliable, and well-known technique is sought. In various contexts, it continues to represent a practical, consistent, and technically effective option, particularly when a more advanced multielemental approach is not necessary.
Why does sample preparation affect the result so much?
Because an analytical instrument only works well if the sample has been prepared correctly and consistently with the technique used. Mineralization, melting, grinding, pressing, and homogenization directly impact the accuracy, repeatability, and comparability of the data. Improper preparation can compromise even high-level technology.
CRM, certified standards and analytical data quality
What are Certified Reference Materials (CRMs)?
Certified reference materials, or CRMs, are materials with known, documented properties and accompanied by certification and declared uncertainty. They are essential in the laboratory because they allow measurement quality to be verified, controlled, and documented in a traceable manner.
What are CRMs used for in quality control?
CRMs serve to demonstrate that analytical data is accurate and under control. They are used for performance verification, method validation, internal quality control, result comparability, and to support audit or accreditation processes. They are therefore a key tool for any laboratory seeking to improve data reliability and documentation.
What is the difference between CRM and calibration standards?
A calibration standard is used to establish the relationship between signal and concentration, and therefore to calibrate the analysis instrumentation. A CRM, on the other hand, has a broader function: in addition to being used for verification or calibration support, it contributes to metrological traceability and data reliability. Not all standards are CRMs, and it is precisely this distinction that makes the correct technical choice important.
How do you choose the right CRM?
The correct CRM is chosen by evaluating the analytical technique, matrix, expected concentrations, physical form of the sample, and intended use. An effective reference material must be as consistent as possible with the actual sample and the method operating conditions. When this consistency is lacking, quality control also loses its value.
Are there specific CRMs for XRF, ICP, AAS and organic matrices?
Yes. Certified reference materials vary depending on the technique and matrix: for XRF, the composition, matrix, and physical form of the sample are particularly important; for ICP and AAS, solutions with known concentrations are frequently used; for oils, lubricants, and other organic matrices, materials formulated to be compatible with the actual application are required.
Why do oils, lubricants and fuels require dedicated standards?
Because these matrices are different from aqueous ones, they require materials formulated to match the actual behavior of the sample. Using standards that aren’t consistent with the matrix can make the analytical verification less reliable and compromise data quality. In these areas, choosing the correct standard is an integral part of the method, not a secondary detail.