Mass Spectrometer

This is the "brain" of the quality control department. A mass spectrometer ionizes a small sample of the steel or the zinc bath and separates the atoms based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). This allows manufacturers to detect trace amounts of elements like Lead, Tin, or Silicon. Even 0.05% too much Silicon can cause the "Sandelin Effect," leading to a dull, gray, and brittle zinc coating that fails industry standards.