Qualitative Analysis by XRF

This washer actually has much more iron thanzinc, but the zinc is present as a surface coating. If the sample was completely homt nous, iron would Im present at about 66%. Remember, EDXRF is a surface sen ive tedinique. 

This is a spectrum of the same washer but it has been sanded to remove some of the zinc surface coating. 

The ratio between the K and Kp line of an emission is fixed and tabulated for every element. A Kp emission is always accompanied by a K emission. Similarly, an Fp emission is always accompanied by an L emission. Keep these facts in mind when examining an XRF spectrum. 

To analyze a spectrum to determine what elements are present, identify the strongest (most intense) line first and then continue with the next most intense lines. Look for the tube emission line and any lines that may come from air. Lines that do not match an element line may be scatter lines from the tube, an escape peak, or a sum peak. 

Another large handheld application segment is in positive material identification (PMI) where, similar to scrap sorting, the sample is identified as a specific alloy or material. PMI ensures that, for example, the repair of a crucial pipe in a hazardous material-containing process is only performed using the correct and certified material. After a catastrophic accident in a Texas refinery, PMI inspection of components carrying hazardous products was made mandatory. This mandate is easily accomplished on site using HH XRF instrumentation. 

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