Plasma FIB – A better alternative to traditional FIB?
PFIB differs from traditional FIB in that it uses various gases such as Xe, Ar, oxygen or nitrogen to generate a plasma that is used to remove material from a sample.
XRF Fusion Sample Preparation
Do you need help to determine the components of an unknown material or to identify differences between similar materials? Throughout a product’s life cycle, from development to potential failures, understanding the materials used in a product is critical. This is where materials characterization can be valuable with services such as compositional analysis and material identification.
In our blog, Elemental Composition using XRF, we discuss how X-ray Fluorescence is a great technique for this type of analysis. XRF is considered both a bulk technique and trace elemental technique all in one. From loose powders and organic molecules to plastics, glasses and alloys, XRF can accurately determine the elements present.
Most materials and samples are analyzed by XRF as they are received, with barely any sample preparation. However, with highly complex chemistry materials such as geological materials, minerals and ceramics, a specialized sample preparation is used. For these types of materials, fusion sample preparation is used to increase precision and accuracy for data collection.
What is fusion sample preparation?
During the fusion sample preparation process, the powder form of the sample is mixed with a fluxing agent, such as lithium borate.
This mixture is placed in a platinum crucible and heated at a high temperature to create a glass bead which is then analyzed. This process transforms a heterogeneous, complex material to a homogeneous, simple oxide. This helps to eliminate mineralogical effects and surface roughness, which in turn improves precision and accuracy.
How can Eurofins EAG help?
Eurofins EAG has helped clients in the glass, cement and mineral industries using fusion sample preparation. When clients are trying to determine ratios in their composition, we can accurately verify this data. When clients want to establish a regular method in their production process, we can confirm consistency in their composition.
At Eurofins EAG, we have many years of experience with a vast variety of materials and state-of-the-art tools. In addition to our standard XRF, we also offer WD-XRF which has very good energy resolution. This leads to fewer spectral overlaps and improved background intensities. From sample prep to sample analysis, our technical experts can be your materials analysis partner.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your next project.
Related Resources
- Webinar: Ask the Expert: Composition and Contaminant Measurements of Solid State Materials
- Application Note: Characterization of Beach Sand Using WDXRF and XRD
- Blog: Elemental Composition using XRF
- Service: Materials Characterization
- Technique: XRD
- Technique: XRF
- Industry: Energy
- Industry: Raw Materials
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