Assaying
Accurate assays are critical to the success of your business. Materion Microelectronics & Services maintains two fully staffed assay labs within our facilities that utilize the appropriate combination of classic fire assay, wet chemical, GDMS, ICAP or Mass Spectroscopy. Customers are also welcome to use a well respected network of independent companies to generate third party samples or analytical results.
A homogeneous and representative sample is key to the development of an accurate precious metal measurement. Customer material sent to the refineries for reclaim is initially examined by experienced personnel, who choose the best sampling preparation process depending on the nature of the material received. Processing may involve a combination of thermal reduction, incineration, milling, screening, chemical leaching or smelting.
During the refining and assaying process at Materion Microelectronics & Services, the customer is welcome to witness or obtain samples of their refines as they are processed. Materion Microelectronics & Services operates two independent internal assay facilities with capabilities including:
- Fire Assay
- Wet Gravimetric
- ICAP
- GDMS
- XRF
We have dedicated chemists and analytical technicians on staff to develop timely and accurate analytical results.
When precious metal scrap is received at our refineries, it is carefully weighed by two staff using calibrated scales accurate to .001 oz. Material items and weights are checked against customers' advised information as provided with our SN tracking system or Material Characterization Form. Refining data is entered into our database which generates customer receipt and process control forms.
The customer settlement is calculated based on recovered net metal content and is valued at set published metals markets less our charges. Several settlement options are available depending upon the customer’s preference. Settlement options may include:
- Check or wire transfer based on published metals markets (in some cases, prepricing may be available).
- Physical metals in tradable purity
- Transfer to Materion pool account for future settlement or orders
- Transfer to approved 3rd party account including banks or other registered dealers on customer request
Refining charges can be deducted or billed separately from any of the above options.
Materion Microelectronics & Services' refining facilities and operations meet or exceed all governmental regulations including OSHA, DEC and local Sewer Authority specifications. We maintain an experienced Safety and Compliance Engineering staff, along with highly capable technicians to monitor all processes, equipment and effluent. All metals, precious and non-precious, are fully recycled with no byproducts ending up in landfills.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about how your specific sample would be processed or assayed, please contact Materion Microelectronics & Services.
Assaying Is Offered By: