Users in science, industry, and business routinely use spectrometric analysis on materials of diverging composition. The applications vary widely and in many cases the precise determination of major and minor element concentrations is critical. Typically wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) instruments are used for these applications as they are known to provide the required precision. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) instruments historically have been used for screening analysis. However, modern instruments have reached a level of precision comparable to that achievable with WD-XRF. Therefore they are now suitable for analyzing major and minor elements as well as selected trace elements in various matrices, like geological material, mining samples, cement, ceramics, refractories or glass.
The fusion preparation technology is mainly used to reduce matrix effects and to improve accuracy and precision of analysis. In contrast to pressed powder pellets, grain size effects or mineralogical effects are eliminated. Analyzing samples prepared as fused beads provides the basis for excellent accuracy when determining major and minor element’s concentrations in all samples with oxidic sample matrix. This XRF paper mainly covers as example the use of the SPECTRO XEPOS ED-XRF instrument to analyze major and minor elements in samples of geological and mineral materials, prepared as fused beads. Using polarization and direct excitation technologies, it proved a powerful analytical tool to satisfy the needs of high precision and accuracy.
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