TO 45 Analytical chemistry
Within Jernkontoret’s technical area TO 45, Analytical Chemistry, companies and institutes active in analytical chemistry for steel production, steel usage, and non-ferrous metals collaborate. TO 45 conducts extensive activities in research, technology monitoring, knowledge exchange, standardisation, and the production and certification of reference materials. The technical area, in whole or in part, meets physically or digitally about twenty times a year and organises several study visits to relevant companies.
Operational description for TO 45
Chemical analysis is a fundamental prerequisite for building knowledge about materials, products, and processes. Accurate analytical methods for chemical composition not only enable well-specified products but also provide cost advantages by minimising the use of, for example, alloying elements and process chemicals during manufacturing.
This requires chemical laboratories equipped with suitable analytical instruments, skilled personnel, appropriate standards, and access to relevant reference materials. TO 45 addresses all these needs through research, technology monitoring, competence development, standardisation work, and the production and certification of new reference materials based on the Swedish metal industry’s own products. The work is conducted in close collaboration between member companies, research institutes, SIS (Swedish Institute for Standards), and academia. TO 45 also engages in technological development to enable expanded online chemical analysis in processes where applicable.
Networking and the exchange of experiences between company chemists are also valuable aspects of TO 45's activities. In addition to the above-mentioned work, TO 45 also drives standardisation efforts through SIS Technical Committee SIS/TK 122, Chemical Analysis Methods for Metals. With support from TO 45, SIS also manages the European Technical Committee CEN/TC 459/SC 2, Methods of Chemical Analysis for Metals.
Organisation
For efficiency, TO 45's activities are conducted within four separate subgroups: three expert committees and the Nordic Certified Reference Materials Working Group (NCRMWG). To coordinate and oversee this work, a steering committee holds overarching responsibility. Membership in TO 45 provides full access to all these subgroups. Follow the links below for more information about the activities of the working groups.
The technical area is divided into four committees of experts
Research activities are carried out within the framework of four committees of experts (EK):
- Expert Committee 1, General analytical techniques
- Expert Committee 2, Chemical analysis during metallurgical processes
- Expert Committee 4, Process analytical chemistry
- Nordic Certified Reference Materials Working Group (NCRMWG)
Chairperson, TO 45
Helena Ekström, SSAB Europe, Borlänge
Research Manager, TO 45
Jonas Gurell, Jernkontoret
Member companies, TO 45
Alleima AB, Sandviken
Degerfors Laboratorium AB, Degerfors
Erasteel Kloster AB, Söderfors
ESAB AB, Göteborg
Gränges Sweden AB, Finspång
Höganäs Sweden AB, Höganäs
Kanthal AB, Hallstahammar
LKAB, Malmberget
Outokumpu Stainless AB, Avesta
Sandvik Coromant AB, Hägersten
SSAB Europe, Borlänge
SSAB Europe, Luleå
SSAB Europe Oy, Brahestad
SSAB Special Steels, Oxelösund
Uddeholms AB, Hagfors
Vargön Alloys AB, Vargön
Co-opted members, TO 45
Luxcon AB, Kista
Oy Narema Ab, Närpes, Finland
SIS, Swedish Institute for Standards, Stockholm
Swerim AB, Kista
How can one become a member?
For membership, please contact research manager Jonas Gurell,
tel: + 46 8 679 17 10, e-mail: jonas.gurell@jernkontoret.se
