Based on X-ray theory, the alloy analyzer was born. It is primarily utilised in the military, aerospace, steel, petrochemical, electric power, pharmaceutical, and other areas to determine elemental composition of metal products.

How does the Alloy Analyzer Work

The alloy analyzer is a type of XRF spectroscopic analytical tool that can be used to confirm and quantify certain elements in a product. It can identify the specific element based on the X-ray's emission wavelength () and energy (E), and it can quantify the amount of that element by measuring the density of the related ray. XRF can thus assess the elemental composition of substances.

Each atom contains a set number of electrons (negatively charged particles) that orbit the nucleus. And the amount of electrons in the nucleus equals the number of protons (positively charged particles). The number of protons can be calculated from the number of atoms in the periodic table. Each atomic number is assigned to a specific element name, for as iron, which has the element name Fe and the atomic number 26. Energy-dispersive X fluorescence and wavelength dispersive X fluorescence spectral analysis technology was developed and used to the three innermost electron orbitals, namely K, L, and M. The K orbital is the closest to the nucleus, and each electron orbital corresponds to a certain element with a specific energy layer.

Photons of high-energy primary rays generated by the X-ray emission tube strike the sample element during XRF analysis. These fundamental photons have enough energy to derail the innermost electrons, known as the K or L layers. At this point, the atom transforms into an unstable ion. Because electrons seek stability instinctively, electrons in the outer L or M layers will enter the space that makes up the inner layer. As these electrons move from the outer layer to the inner layer, they emit energy known as secondary X-ray photons.

The entire process is known as fluorescence radiation. Each element's secondary rays will have distinct properties. The energy differential between the inner and outer layers during the electron conversion process determines the quantity of energy created by X-ray photon fluorescence radiation. The K energy of an iron atom Fe, for example, is around 6.4 kiloelectron volts. The number or density of X-rays emitted by a certain element over a given time period can be used to calculate its amount. A typical XRF energy distribution spectrum depicts photon density distribution at various energies.

What should I pay attention to when using a Handheld Alloy Analyzer?

When determining the composition of materials with a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (handheld alloy analyzer), three significant criteria must be considered.

Material Composition

From magnesium to heavier elements, the handheld spectrometer alloy analyzer can quantitatively analyse more than 90% of the elements in the periodic table. Most of the elements used in commercial alloys are represented by these quantifiable elements. According to the material composition information collected, the XRF analyzer can detect aluminium alloy, stainless steel, chromium-molybdenum alloy or base alloy, bronze alloy, various other copper alloys, solder, titanium alloy, tool steel, nickel, and cobalt. Elements Many so-called "superalloys" are brand-matchable. The handheld alloy analyzer, however, cannot identify elements lighter than magnesium. Alloying elements such as lithium, beryllium, and carbon are examples of undetectable elements.

The Surface Temperature of the Alloy Analyzer Sample

The physical properties of X-rays employed in XRF analysis technology do not change much when the temperature of the sample changes. Furthermore, the analysis device's design purpose is to be unaffected by changes in ambient circumstances and to always provide reliable measurement performance. Thermal drift and performance deterioration will not occur when the analyzer is operated in the temperature range of -10 °C to 50 °C.

When the sample temperature exceeds roughly 100 °C, the alloy analyzer is not altered, and the sample can be measured normally. However, if the temperature rises above this level, the polypropylene fibre film that forms part of the analyzer glass may be destroyed.

How do users of handheld alloy analyzers go about purchasing high-quality handheld alloy analyzers? This is a critical question. At the end of this post, I recommend Drawell, a maker of high-quality handheld alloy analyzers. Drawell Scientific is a reputable maker of portable alloy analyzers. Always give high-quality products to clients worldwide. They may deliver high-quality alloy analyzers such as the Handheld handheld XRF Gold Analyzer (TrueX Gold) and the Handheld Alloy Analyzer (TrueX 800).