Handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Applications

Fast, accurate, non-destructive elemental analysis of metals and alloys for almost any application

Handheld XRF technology can be used in almost any industry where non-destructive analysis of metals and alloys is needed – from mining, manufacturing, consumer products, environmental clean up, and more.

 

Visit these links to learn how handheld XRF is used in different featured industries and applications.

Art & archaeometry

XRF analyzers are a useful tool for nondestructive analysis of art and artifacts in a variety of research applications. They can be used in matters of archaeological reconnaissance, restoration and provenance, authentication and conservation, NAGPRA compliance, and dating of petroglyphs, alloys, and other materials.

Automotive & aerospace

If aerospace and automotive parts, including lightweight steel grades, are not manufactured with the precise alloy specified for the application, the parts may not be able to support the weight and stresses they are designed to bear. XRF elemental analyzers are essential for material verification.

Battery research and manufacturing

Evaluate the purity of raw materials being used in battery manufacturing.  Handheld XRF analyzers can be used for elemental analysis and pre-screening for impurities.

Consumer goods testing

Our handheld XRF analyzers are trusted by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the European Union's Product Safety Enforcement Forum (PROSAFE), and other regulatory agencies to screen consumer products for lead and other regulated elements including barium, antimony, selenium, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and hexavalent chromium. 

Environmental remediation

From hazardous site modeling and risk assessment to on-site containment screening and lead paint abatement, decisions must be made quickly to protect workers from exposure to toxins and to minimize the spread of contamination. Our handheld analzyers help in the detection and measurement of toxins such as RCRA metals, priority pollutants, and US EPA target analytes. 

Electronics & medical devices

Our XRF analyzers are highly accurate in the detection of commonly found substances prohibited by RoHS, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) as well as the halogen elements chlorine and bromine – whether they are in printed circuit boards (PCBs) and components, solder, or tin whiskers.

Food manufacturing

Handheld XRF analyzers can be used to scan parts and components throughout the food production line, mapping metals throughout the plant, to help identify the source of any rejected products that contain a metal physical contaminant.

Lead paint inspection

Government regulations, such as the US EPA-issued Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, have increased public awareness of the need for lead paint testing. Our handheld XRF analyzers meet the rigorous demands of lead paint testing and are the only lead paint analyzers available that are supported by an ideal Performance Characteristic Sheet (PCS). 

Manufacturing & metal fabrication

For fast, reliable positive material identification, composition analysis and quality checks of finished goods, manufacturers and fabricators rely on proven Thermo Scientific Niton handheld XRF analyzers, to help ensure their products meet customer specifications.

Mining & exploration

Miners seek solutions that will enable them to identify drill targets, increase discovery rates, make on-site decisions, and pinpoint where to focus on the grid. Niton handheld XRF analyzers provide elemental analysis to guide geochemical decisions to quickly identify and recover the most economically viable resources.

Pharma manufacturing

Identify ionic salts in seconds with minimal sample preparation. The Thermo Scientific IonicX Portable XRF Analyzer provides fast and accurate ionic salt raw material identity verification and high sample throughput to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

Pipeline positive material identification (PMI)

Niton handheld XRF analyzers help power generation and oil & gas operations with positive material identification (PMI), providing accurate elemental analysis of all types of metal and alloys ‒ from trace levels to major elements ‒ and differentiating alloy grades that are nearly identical in composition.

Precious metals & jewelry analysis

Precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum, are often traded based on their purity. Analyzing these metals helps determine their exact composition, which is crucial for pricing and valuation purposes. Our portable XRF analyzers help ensure that buyers and sellers have accurate information about the quality of the metal being traded.

Scrap metal recycling

When the exact chemical composition of scrap—including the existence of contaminants or hazardous elements—is uncertain, it puts quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and even the bottom line at risk. To help ensure fast, accurate alloy analysis, scrap metal operations rely on proven Niton handheld XRF analyzers.

Steel manufacturing

Our range of handheld XRF analyzers can be used for verification of metals and alloys on the shop floor, as well as non-destructive field inspections for material ID, and coating and thickness measurements in finished product requirements.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.