Patent ID: 8298827

Claim:
A method for analyzing at least one of metal precipitates and inclusions within a steel material, comprising the steps of: partially electrolyzing a sample of the steel material in an electrolyte wherein at least one of the metal precipitates and inclusions attach to a remaining portion of the sample during or after electrolysis; removing the remaining portion of the sample from the electrolyte with the metal inclusions and precipitates attached thereto; immersing the remaining portion of the sample removed from the electrolyte into a dispersive solution that does not contain methanol and is different from the electrolyte to separate at least one of the metal precipitates and the inclusions attached to the sample wherein the dispersive solution disperses aggregates of the precipitates and inclusions; filtering at least one of the metal precipitates or inclusions separated into the dispersive solution through at least one filter; and analyzing the at least one of the metal precipitates and inclusions.