Typically crystalline in structure, metals are often studied via elemental and structural analysis. Optical emission spectrometry technique is universally used in the metal industry for fast chemical composition analysis, whether for incoming material or metal quality control and production analysis.

Optical emission spectrometers (often called "OES or spark discharge spectrometers"), is used to evaluate metals to determine the chemical composition with very high accuracy. A spark is applied through a high voltage on the surface which vaporizes particles into a plasma.

Spectrometers allow for metal analysis throughout the metal life cycle from metal production to processing, as well as at the end of its service life at recycling plants. Both stationary and portable spectrometers offer high levels of accuracy and precision.