![]() XRF analytical specifications can be confusing. Operating temperature: When testing in hot environments, consider an instrument that can sustain all-day testing in hot environments.Consider an instrument that has been drop tested to help prevent costly repairs. Drop tested: Tools sometimes get dropped or misplaced, but one drop shouldn’t put you out of business.This helps ensure your instrument can handle the rigors of rugged industrial environments. IP rating: An IP rating means the analyzer is resistant to dust and water.Think about where and how the analyzer will be used. The instrument specifications that matter most when selecting an analyzer are the ones related to your environment. Understanding the specifications for your environment Direct export to a USB drive is a nice convenience on most modern analyzers.Ħ. This feature enables the inspector to select a small area for analysis, such as the weld seam in a pipe.Ĭonnectivity features: Analyzers with Wi-Fi connectivity enable fast decision making in the field and easily accessible results. Silver: A good all-around anode material, silver is not as good as rhodium for magnesium or tungsten for cadmium but is a good compromise anode.Ĭonsult with the manufacturer for details and expert recommendations.Ĭameras: When documentation is important, purchase an analyzer with built-in cameras to document the sample tested and to position the instrument for testing.Ĭollimator: Some analyzers offer a collimator, which narrows the X-ray beam, so the spot size decreases from about 10 mm to 3 mm. Tungsten: The use of tungsten or a similar heavy material is best for high-energy elements like cadmium, which is important for RoHS testing. It’s particularly fast at measuring magnesium, a key element in aluminum grades, making rhodium the best choice for most alloy applications. Rhodium: It is best for measuring light elements. Typical materials are rhodium (Rh), silver (Ag), and tungsten (W). Some manufacturers carry a complete line of analyzers with a variety of available tube anode materials. The large area SDD has better analytical sensitivity but costs more. If you have decided you need the throughput, sensitivity, and elemental range of the SDD, most manufacturers offer a standard SDD and a large area SDD. Refer to the manufacturer’s LOD sheet, but understand that the reported LODs are typically under ideal conditions. What is the lowest concentration level you need for each element? SDD instruments have lower limits of detection (LODs) than PIN instruments. If you are testing many samples, the analysis time can add up, making the SDD instrument the cost-effective choice. A PIN instrument can take eight to 10 seconds to perform the same task. Is testing speed important? An SDD can identify most alloys in a second or two. If you need to know the concentration of these elements, then you need an SDD. Your answers to the three questions below will help you determine whether or not you need the sensitivity of an SDD.ĭo I need to measure light elements? In XRF lingo, light elements are magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorous, and sulfur. PIN detectors are an older technology that is less expensive, but also less sensitive than a silicon drift detector (SDD). There are two types of detectors used in handheld XRF analyzers: PIN and SDD.
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