Lab Services | Gravimetric Analysis

Gravimetric analysis is a technique by which the total amount of an analyte or analytes is determined through mass measurement. For gravimetric determinations of ions through precipitation reactions, a known amount of the precipitating agent is added to a known mass of sample. The resulting precipitate is then massed to determine the concentration of the target analyte in the sample.

A common application of gravimetric analysis is during Extractables and Leachables (E & L) testing. This involves extracting a known volume or mass of sample, drying down the extract, and weighing the resulting residue. The mass of the residue is subtracted from a control blank, an empty vessel that has been brought through the same analytical procedure, to determine a corrected amount of non-volatile residue (NVR). Gravimetric analyses are a quick and easy way to investigate the quantity of extractables in a sample, but cannot discriminate between organic and inorganic species.

Procedure is quick and easy
Precise measurements due to the accuracy at which mass can be measured
Can characterize the amount of residue from medical devices, food contact films, pharmaceutical packaging, and much more!