What is ED-XRF?
XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectrometry) is a non-destructive analytical technique used to
identify and determine the concentrations of elements present in solid, powdered and liquid samples.
XRF is capable of measuring elements from Sodium (Na) to Uranium (U) and beyond at trace levels and up to 100%.
The XRF spectrometer measures the individual component wavelengths of the fluorescent emission produced
by a sample when irradiated with X-rays.
Precilab uses the XGT-5000 from HORIBA for XRF analyses.
The XGT-5000 is an Energy Dispersive (ED)-XRF and makes use of the fact that the pulse height
of the detector signal is proportional to the X-ray photon energy.
This instrument can provide not only qualitative but semi-quantitative and quantitative
analysis for elements from Sodium to Uranium. Furthermore, accuracy of the results is greatly enhanced with the “Multi-point quantitative analysis”.
The XGT Series is named for the specific feature in its construction called an X-Ray Guide Tube.
The guide tube allows for better alignment of the X-Ray source and the optical CCD Camera.
The result is a more integrated combination of optical microscope observation with X-Ray analysis. Furthermore,
the XGT-5000 can be used with two different sizes of the source X-Ray beam; 1.2mm and 10µm. The small X-Ray beam
of 10µm allows a high spatial resolution over smaller areas; whereas the 1.2mm x-ray beam can provide faster analysis
or mapping over larger areas. The larger beam size is also ideally suited for spot testing of specific surface sites
with sensitivity down to the low ppm level, depending on the element.
Thus a large range of samples can be accommodated due to the size of the testing chamber for this instrument.
Samples up to 350x400x40 mm can be analyzed. For the scope of RoHS Testing, this it allows us to test a large printed
circuit board intact without cutting or otherwise damaging the board. The XGT-5000 provides fast and non-destructive analysis
and can analyze complete units or finished products.
Finally, this instrument uses XRF as a technique for fast and non-destructive screening. Only few minutes are
necessary for sensitivity to concentrations below 100ppm and the XGT system offers limits of detection in the low ppm.
ED-XRF Testing:
Precilab will provide you any types of ED-XRF Testing with accuracy and very fast turn-around.
If you need to analyze any metals, polymers, plastics or liquids, in order to find a specific element
or several elements, our ED-XRF instrument allows us to test everything from Na to U.
If you need to test the purity of certain samples, understand the unusual concentration pattern of one
or more elements in your sample, or simply want a major component analysis, ED-XRF Testing with our HORIBA XGT-5000 would be our recommendation.
RoHS Testing:
The ED-XRF instrument is also highly recommended for the initial phase of testing for RoHS compliance.
To get more information on RoHS and our procedure for RoHS Testing, please consult our “RoHS Page”.