N.L. Mishra

Different materials behave in different ways.But what makes a material suitable for a particular application? The quality of all materials depends mainly on their composition –the concentration of constituent elements and their crystal structure. Often, the purity of materials is also a very important factor in their application and quality.

Elements present in very small concentrations, either as impurities or added intentionally, also affect the quality of materials. These elements present in small quantities are known as trace elements or ultra trace elements depending on their concentration. Generally an element with concentration less than 100 parts per million (ppm) is considered a trace element and those with less than 1 ppm levels are known as ultra trace elements.

Unwanted trace elements are regulated to keep their concentration levels below certain limits as these deteriorate the quality of materials if present above this limit. On the other hand, certain trace elements are essential for some materials to functional well…Read more on NOPR