Description
AISI 321 / UNS S32100 - Certified reference material for XRF, OES, combustion analysis, and laboratory elemental testing.
The Alloy Geek 321 Stainless Steel Certified Reference Material (CRM) is a certified analytical standard used for instrument calibration, verification, and method validation for titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steels.
This CRM is well suited for benchtop XRF, handheld XRF, spark OES, combustion analyzers, and laboratory solution-based methods. It is commonly used in metals testing laboratories, aerospace and high-temperature alloy QA/QC programs, stainless steel production, and analyst training.
Certified Chemical Composition
| Element | Certified Value (wt%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | 0.103 |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.0040 |
| Boron (B) | 0.0012 |
| Carbon (C) | 0.060 |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0.096 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 17.42 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.358 |
| Iron (Fe) | 69.8 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.0007 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.76 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.274 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.0083 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 9.09 |
| Oxygen (O) | 0.0009 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.024 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.022 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.27 |
| Tin (Sn) | 0.0091 |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.55 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.054 |
Values enclosed in parentheses ( ) are provided for reference purposes only. These values are not certified and should not be used for calibration where certified values are required.
Analytical Applications
XRF Analysis (Benchtop & Handheld)
Common uses include:
- Calibration and verification of XRF analyzers
- Stainless steel grade identification and library validation
- QA checks and operator training
This CRM provides stable reference values for chromium, nickel, manganese, titanium, and associated alloying elements. Carbon is not measured by XRF.
Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES)
For spark-OES systems, the solid disc format is suitable for:
- Stainless steel calibration and verification
- Grade differentiation and routine QA checks
- Laboratory and production-floor analysis
Chip-Based Laboratory Methods
Chip samples produced from the same certified bulk material are suitable for:
- Combustion analysis of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen
- ICP-OES and ICP-MS following acid digestion
- Classical wet chemistry and cross-method validation
Material Consistency and Use
- Produced from a single heat for compositional consistency
- Certified values reflect the average bulk chemistry
- Suitable for long-term calibration and verification when handled properly
What’s Included
- 321 Stainless Steel Certified Reference Material
- Certificate of Analysis with certified values and uncertainty
- Disc and chip configurations available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 321 stainless steel CRM used for?
It is used to calibrate and verify XRF, OES, and laboratory instruments that measure stainless steel chemistry.
Can this be used with handheld XRF?
Yes. It is suitable for handheld and benchtop XRF alloy verification and training.
Can this CRM be used for carbon analysis?
While carbon is not measured by XRF, it can be measured with an OES sample or with chip samples using combustion-based carbon analysis.
Is this suitable for ICP or wet chemistry?
Yes. Chips can be digested and used for ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and classical laboratory methods.
Available Sizes and Formats
XRF Disc: 38 mm diameter × 3 mm thickness
Suitable for benchtop XRF and handheld XRF analysis.
OES Disc: 38 mm diameter × 19 mm thickness
Suitable for benchtop OES analysis.
Chip Sample: 100 g of stainless steel chips
Intended for combustion analysis (C, S, N), ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and classical wet chemistry following digestion.
All formats are produced from the same certified bulk material and represent the certified average composition.