Stringent procedures and state-of-the-art equipment are integral to the production process. C-KOE’s on-site Spectro Lab M™ optical emission spectrometer makes possible continuous testing for aluminum and 26 other trace elements.
Quality Control
Relentless quality control, from sourcing to production, backs up our commitment to providing the purest aluminum products. We not only go to extraordinary lengths to procure the finest materials, we also insure the highest level of quality throughout the production process with proven procedures and continual in-house testing.
Our exclusive internal spectrometer analysis is critical to guaranteeing the purest end product.
Sourcing
Product that meets the highest demands of purity begins with suppliers we absolutely trust. That’s why C-KOE sources aluminum from around the world to meet our customers’ exacting needs.
- We continually audit and test our suppliers’ materials to ensure we are receiving only the highest quality raw materials.
- We have long-standing relationships with the best suppliers in the industry, which enable us to provide the high product standards our customers demand and deserve.
- Our suppliers mirror our commitment to exacting standards and provide us with only the highest quality products to use in production.
Production
Our commitment to high purity continues throughout the production process, with proven procedures and stringent testing protocol. As testament to our commitment to the highest product standards, instead of relying on our supplier's certificate of analysis, C-KOE is the only high-purity aluminum producer in the U.S. who uses an in-house spectrometer to test its finished product. C-KOE’s state-of-the-art spectrometer empowers us to maintain our competitive advantage by delivering products that always meet or exceed our customers’ specifications. To be absolutely certain that we meet our customer's specification and that no foreign matter has entered the finished product, we test each batch after it has gone through the entire production process, just prior to sending it to the packaging station.
Certificate of Analysis (click on image to view full size)
- Proven Procedures
- Shot pans are changed frequently during our pouring process to limit iron pick up, enabling us to meet our customers’ specifications.
- The same procedures that we use for our most stringent clients are followed for each customer, even though specifications may differ.
- Controls are placed throughout the plant to detect the slightest impurities.
- Only primary aluminum is used in our process.
- A Certificate of Analysis is provided to C-KOE with every truckload of aluminum from our suppliers.
- C-KOE then produces a Certificate of Analysis upon completion of the entire production process and provides it with every shipment.
- Our testing allows us to provide tighter specifications lot-to-lot.
- Stringent Testing
- C-KOE samples its finished product every hour after it has gone through the entire manufacturing process to insure our product maintains its purity from the beginning to the end of the process.
- We make and test a composite sample when the batch is complete to provide the most accurate results.
- Before performing each spectrometer test, our lab technician calibrates the spectrometer according to American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) specifications against standards, which are certified pursuant to stipulations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- To ensure that we meet our customers’ specifications, we test for the content of 26 different elements in PPM (parts per million), after the product is in its finished form.
- Our Spectro Lab M™ optical emission spectrometer offers increased efficiency and accuracy, resulting in quick analysis before, during and after production.
- Because we retain custody of our metal throughout the entire process, we never have to put our product and its integrity into the hands of an outside vendor.
Processing and Record Keeping
Specifications are controlled to meet individual customer needs. C-KOE maintains detailed records of analysis for as long as 40 years for certain customers.
