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Can XRF Tell the Difference Between 304 and 316 Stainless Steel
Put 304 next to 316 stainless steel and you would have a hard time telling them apart. The finish, the color and the general appearance are similar. The issue arises when you have to quickly check materials that are either…
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…
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…
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…
Why Does Vacuum Pressure Fluctuate During Rotary Evaporation?
You set the vacuum and start the flask whirling and all is well for the first few minutes. Then the gauge begins to drift, the evaporation slows or the liquid suddenly bumps and you wonder what went wrong. The most…
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…
Why Is Your Rotary Evaporator Condenser Not Cooling Properly?
You start a rotary evaporation run but the receiving flask fills up slowly or solvent vapour goes past the condenser without completely condensing. These indicators could mean the cooling system isn’t removing heat as well as it should. Poor condenser…
Why Does a Rotary Evaporator Bump? Causes and How to Prevent It
You start the vacuum, the flask is spinning, all appears okay. Then the liquid surges up the neck and splashes into the vapour path. Anyone who has done a few evaporations has seen this at least one time. Bumping rotary…
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…
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…
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