I Use XRF Analyzers on Metals... Is it Safe?

Do you use portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers for elemental analysis so you can identify metals and alloys? Do you wonder if they emit radiation and if they are safe? Do you need to take precautions?

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the chemical composition of materials. It is used extensively in the metal manufacturing, inspection and recycling industry. You might use it to identify the metal and alloys in a scrapyard, verify the content of your raw materials in your manufacturing plant, or check the gold content in a piece of jewelry.

XRF occurs when a fluorescent (or secondary) x-ray is emitted from a sample that is being excited by a primary x-ray source. See image below:

Because this fluorescence is unique to the elemental composition of the sample, XRF is an excellent technology for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the material composition.

During the analysis, the analyzer emits a directed radiation beam when the tube is energized (tube based instrument) or when the shutter is open (isotope based instrument). Reasonable effort should be made to maintain exposures to radiation as far below dose limits as is practical. This is known as the ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) principle. For any given source of radiation, three factors will help minimize your radiation exposure: time, distance, and shielding.

While the radiation emitted from a portable XRF analyzer is similar to the exposure received in a normal medical or dental x-ray, care must be taken to always point a handheld XRF analyzer directly at the sample and never at a person or a body part. In a previous article we offered 7 Safety Tips When Using Portable XRF Analyzers.

Radioactive material is considered a hazardous material (HAZMAT) for the purposes of transport. This means that the transportation of a portable XRF device containing radioactive sources is regulated.

Want to know more about XRF and how it works… but you don’t want to delve into the details because you are not a scientist? Then download this free eBook – XRF in the Field: XRF Technology for the Non-Scientist .

XRF in the Field: XRF Technology for the Non-Scientist, written by an expert in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques, explains the technology in an easy-to-understand manner.

Additional Resources:

Download our free eBook: A Practical Guide to Improving Steel Manufacturing Processes and Production Methods
Visit our center for Improving Steel Manufacturing Processes and Production

Comments

Jafar Vakili says

August 1, 2016 at 9:40 am

Hi, are the MA. Time, Voltage the same as use for medical test? If we expose a steel alloy with at least half In.Thicknes, all factors are such as exposing a tooth? So its unbelievable for me! Please let me know more infomation, thanks.

- Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane says
  
  August 8, 2016 at 3:42 pm
  
  Hi Jafar. Thank you for your question. We believe many people may have the same concerns so we are going to publish your question and answer in this week’s 8/11/16 post. Make sure you read Thursday’s article or subscribe so you will know when it is published. Thank you for commenting, and feel free to offer more questions/comments/topics of interest.
  
- sigiopt says
  
  October 26, 2020 at 3:49 pm
  
  Okay sir
  
Gaven Rank says

October 26, 2020 at 3:48 pm

cool

Max Jones says

June 27, 2022 at 5:11 pm

Thanks for the info about XRF analyzers. My friend is interested in XRF analyzers. I’ll share this info about XRF analyzers with my friend.