Spectrometers
XRF Analysis of Cement: Applications, Methods & Quality Control
Chemical composition analysis is an important tool for monitoring raw material quantities, clinker composition, and end product uniformity in cement manufacture and quality control. XRF analysis of cement is used to identify the elemental composition by measuring the characteristic X-ray signals produced by the sample. The common oxide amounts are reported according to acceptable calibration procedures….
XRF Analyzer Radiation Safety: Risks and Best Practices
XRF analyzer radiation safety is directly related to instrument design, beam management, operator training, and enforcement of on-site safety regulations. XRF analyzers can be used safely with the proper engineering controls and operating practices. However, because these instruments utilize ionizing radiation for elemental analysis, XRF analyzer radiation safety is directly related to instrument design, beam management,…
How Does XRF Measure Metal Coating Thickness
If a coating is too thin by a few microns, it may not meet the requirements of corrosion resistance. If the coating is too thick, it can squander costly materials such as gold, silver or tin. So plating shops, electronics manufacturers and QC labs all need a quick way to check thickness without damaging individual…
Handheld XRF Detection Limits: What Affects Them
Handheld XRF detection limits vary with the element being measured, the sample matrix, the analyzer’s configuration, and the measurement conditions. A detection limit reported for one element or sample type should not be assumed to apply to every testing situation. Handheld XRF analyzers do not have a single fixed detection limit that applies to all…
XRF Standards: Types, Selection, and How to Use Them
XRF standards (XRF reference materials) refer to standard samples with known or certified composition, concentration, or coating thickness. They bridge the gap between raw X-ray signal intensity and accurate element concentration in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Standards are mainly used to establish calibration relationships, verify analytical results, and monitor instrument performance. Their specific uses depend on their…
How Does Sample Mass Affect DSC Results? A Practical Guide
You perform a DSC test and the curve appears incorrect. The peak is hard to discern or is broad and at a temperature you wouldn’t expect it to be. But before blaming the instrument, first check how much sample was loaded into the pan. It is easy to forget the sample mass in differential scanning…
XRF Coating Thickness Measurement: How It Works and What Affects Accuracy
XRF coating thickness measurement is used to determine the thickness of a coating. You’ll find it in plating QC, electronic component tests, precision part analysis. No cut, no probe marks. When the material mix and arrangement is suitable, XRF tests the part without damage. But to detect an element is one thing. Another is obtaining accurate…
UV-VIS Spectrometry for Protein Concentration Analysis: Methods, Accuracy & Tips
Measuring protein concentration is something that always pops up – purifying proteins, doing biological studies, routine monitoring of lab samples. The concentration of this can be found by measuring how much ultraviolet light the sample absorbs at a certain wavelength. This can be done using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. That stated, what you really obtain depends…
What Happens When a Flame Photometer Sample Is Too Concentrated?
You run a sample, and the reading comes back higher than your top standard. Or it looks fine, but the number just doesn’t feel right. In flame photometry, a sample that is too concentrated is one of the most common reasons results go off track. This matters because a flame photometer only gives reliable numbers…
How Accurate Is XRF Analysis? 7 Key Factors That Affect Accuracy
How accurate is XRF analysis? XRF analysis can provide reliable results for many elemental analysis tasks, but there is no fixed accuracy value that applies to all samples and all applications. Actual accuracy is affected by factors such as sample type, element concentration, matrix effects, sample preparation, calibration method, instrument configuration, and measurement conditions. Therefore, when…
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