A sample preprocessing device 2 is to preprocess a sample (W) analyzed by a analysis device 3 by applying heat to the sample, and comprises a heating furnace 4 that applies heat to the sample (W), a discharging port 2P2 from which the sample (W) heated by the heating furnace 4 is discharged by dropping the sample (W), and a posture restriction unit (PR) that restricts a posture of the sample (W) that drops in the discharging port 2P2.

Provided are a method for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, an apparatus for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, a method for adjusting nitrogen concentration in molten steel, and a method for manufacturing steel. The method includes: a melting process in which a metal sample containing a nitrogen component is melted in an argon gas atmosphere by performing impulse heating to gasify the nitrogen component; and an analyzing process in which nitrogen content in the metal sample is determined by analyzing nitrogen gas generated in the melting process and the argon gas by using a gas discharge optical emission method. By analyzing the nitrogen concentration of a sample taken from molten steel by using the analysis method described above, and by determining treatment conditions for adjusting nitrogen concentration on the basis of the nitrogen analysis value derived by the analysis, nitrogen concentration in molten steel is adjusted.

Provided are a method for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, an apparatus for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, a method for adjusting nitrogen concentration in molten steel, and a method for manufacturing steel. The method includes: a melting process in which a metal sample containing a nitrogen component is melted in an argon gas atmosphere by performing impulse heating to gasify the nitrogen component; and an analyzing process in which nitrogen content in the metal sample is determined by analyzing nitrogen gas generated in the melting process and the argon gas by using a gas discharge optical emission method. By analyzing the nitrogen concentration of a sample taken from molten steel by using the analysis method described above, and by determining treatment conditions for adjusting nitrogen concentration on the basis of the nitrogen analysis value derived by the analysis, nitrogen concentration in molten steel is adjusted.

A sensor and a measurement method for measuring hydrogen content in metal melt. The sensor has a solid proton conductor element, a reference electrode, a quasi-electrode to be measured, a reference compound, a through pipe and an insulating ceramic adhesive. The measurement method has the steps of: (1) inserting the sensor and a corrosion-resistant electrode into the metal melt, and making sure that the solid proton conductor element is fully immersed into the metal melt, the quasi-electrode to be measured is in direct contact with the metal melt and the contact surface is the electrode to be measured; (2) connecting a potentiometer and the reference electrode cable or the metal gas guide pipe to the corrosion-resistant electrode, and measuring a potential difference between the reference electrode and the electrode to be measured; and (3) calculating the hydrogen content S of the metal melt.

An object is to provide an evaluation method for detecting the amount of hydrogen supposed to influence white structure flaking in a simple manner in a short period of time and evaluating possibility of white structure flaking from the detected hydrogen amount. The provided is a possibility evaluation method of white structure flaking that, by measuring an amount of hydrogen gas generated under a condition simulating a use condition of a rolling device used in industrial equipment and existing in an atmosphere, evaluates possibility of white structure flaking in the rolling device.

An object is to provide an evaluation method for detecting the amount of hydrogen supposed to influence white structure flaking in a simple manner in a short period of time and evaluating possibility of white structure flaking from the detected hydrogen amount. The provided is a possibility evaluation method of white structure flaking that, by measuring an amount of hydrogen gas generated under a condition simulating a use condition of a rolling device used in industrial equipment and existing in an atmosphere, evaluates possibility of white structure flaking in the rolling device.

To further enhance the evaluation accuracy of a delayed fracture. Focusing on the fact that a calculated stress value serving as the reference for the occurrence of the delayed fracture changes depending on analysis conditions of a forming analysis, a value obtained by changing a stress value serving as the reference for the occurrence of the delayed fracture according to the analysis conditions for analyzing an intended formed article (article for practical use) is used as the reference for evaluating the delayed fracture. For example, analysis conditions of a forming analysis in an evaluation test of the delayed fracture are matched with analysis conditions of a forming analysis of an article for practical use represented by an actual automobile component.

An analytical inspection system for determining concentration of mobile hydrogen of and/or on surfaces of a metallic object can include: a vacuum furnace; a hydrogen sensing device; and/or a flow path from the furnace to the sensing device. The sensing device can be configured to detect and/or measure the mobile hydrogen at levels less than or equal to 1 part per million (ppm). An analytical inspection method for determining concentration of mobile hydrogen of and/or on surfaces of a metallic object can include: placing the object into a vacuum furnace; drawing a vacuum in the furnace; and/or simultaneously heating the metallic object in the furnace and measuring a quantity of the mobile hydrogen released from the object using a hydrogen sensing device. The sensing device can be configured to detect and/or measure the mobile hydrogen at levels less than or equal to 1 ppm.

An analytical inspection system for determining concentration of mobile hydrogen of and/or on surfaces of a metallic object can include: a vacuum furnace; a hydrogen sensing device; and/or a flow path from the furnace to the sensing device. The sensing device can be configured to detect and/or measure the mobile hydrogen at levels less than or equal to 1 part per million (ppm). An analytical inspection method for determining concentration of mobile hydrogen of and/or on surfaces of a metallic object can include: placing the object into a vacuum furnace; drawing a vacuum in the furnace; and/or simultaneously heating the metallic object in the furnace and measuring a quantity of the mobile hydrogen released from the object using a hydrogen sensing device. The sensing device can be configured to detect and/or measure the mobile hydrogen at levels less than or equal to 1 ppm.

Current techniques for measuring chemical expansion in thin film structures are too slow, too imprecise, or require synchrotrons. In contrast, nanoscale electrochemomechanical spectroscopy (NECS) can be used to make nanoscale measurements at time scales of seconds with simple contact or non-contact sensors. In a NECS measurement, a sample, such as thin-film oxide structure, is subjected to a temporally modulated stimulus, such as a sinusoidally alternating voltage. The stimulus causes the sample to expand, contract, deflect, or otherwise deform. A sensor, such as a contact probe or optical sensor, produces an electrical signal in response to this deformation that is correlated with the temporal modulation of the stimulus. Because the stimulus and deformation are correlated, the temporal modulation of the stimulus can be used to filter the deformation signal produced by the sensor, producing a precise, sensitive measurement of the deformation.