NEX QC+ QuantEZ—Metals & Alloys

Application Note EDXRF1595

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Scope

The semi-quantitative measurement of metals in various alloys is demonstrated using the Fundamental Parameters approach without the need for a reference library.

Background

Standard and specialty alloys vary in metal composition to give the alloy its specific physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Analyzing alloy composition by XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) is important to ensure the proper alloy grade meets the needs for its specific use. The Rigaku NEX QC+ QuantEZ system gives the operator a quick, simple, and reliable means of checking alloy composition without damaging or changing the sample.

NEX QC+ QuantEZ workstationModel: NEX QC+ Quant-EZ

Results

Sample: SS 303
Units: mass %
Element Specification range NEX QC+ QuantEZ result Statistical error
Fe Balance 68.8
Cr 17.0 – 19.0 19.3 0.025
Ni 8.0 – 10.0 7.35 0.014
Mn 2.0 max 1.88 0.010
Si 1.0 max 0.64 0.003

Sample: SS 304
Units: mass %
Element Specification range NEX QC+ QuantEZ result Statistical error
Fe Balance 69.4
Cr 18.0 – 20.0 20.0 0.024
Ni 8.0 – 10.5 7.9 0.014
Mn 2.0 max 1.00 0.009
Si 1.0 max 0.69 0.003

Sample: Al 7075
Units: mass %
Element Specification range NEX QC+ QuantEZ result Statistical error
Al 87.1 – 91.4 92.4
Cr 0.18 – 0.28 0.24 0.002
Cu 1.2 – 2.0 1.18 0.002
Fe 0.5 max 0.27 0.002
Mg 2.1 – 2.9 ND*
Mn 0.3 max 0.03 0.001
Si 0.4 max ND*
Ti 0.2 max 0.06 0.002
Zn 5.1 – 6.1 5.34 0.003

*Mg and Si at low levels are not detectable in an aluminum alloy due to aluminum absorption of Mg and Si X-rays


Sample: MONEL Alloy K-500
Units: mass %
Element Specification range NEX QC+ QuantEZresult Statistical error
Ni 63.0 min 64.2
Mn 1.5 max 0.84 0.006
Fe 2.0 max 0.01 0.002
Si 0.5 max 0.09 0.002
Cu 27.0 – 33.0 31.2 0.024
Al 2.30 – 3.15 2.77 0.012
Ti 0.35 – 0.85 0.60 0.009

Sample: Hastelloy B-3
Units: mass %
Element Specification range NEX QC+ QuantEZ result Statistical error
Ni 65.0 min 64.9
Cr 1.0 – 3.0 1.83 0.016
Mo 27.0 – 32.0 27.8 0.017
Mn 1.0 max 0.67 0.009
Cu 0.2 max 0.50 0.010
Si 0.1 max 0.43 0.006
Ti 0.2 max ND*
Co 3.0 max ND*
V 0.2 max ND*
Fe 1.0 – 3.0 1.64 0.009

*Trace levels of Ti and V and low levels of Co are not detectable in this alloy due to high levels of Ni and Mo that absorb transition metal X-rays

Sample: Alloy R405
Units: mass %
Element Certified value NEX QC+ QuantEZ result Statistical error
Cu 32.3 32.2 0.025
Ni 64.8 64.9
Al 0.08 ND*
Fe 1.31 1.37 0.005
Mn 1.03 1.14 0.006
Si 0.05 ND*
Ti 0.005 ND*
Cr 0.008 ND*

*Trace levels of Al, Si, Ti, and Cr are not detectable in this alloy due to high levels of Cu and Ni that absorb transition metal and light element X-rays


Sample: CDA 544 Units: mass %
Element Certified value NEX QC+ QuantEZ result Statistical error
Cu 87.7 88.9
Fe 0.02 ND*
Pb 3.87 2.82 0.011
Ni 0.077 ND*
Sn 4.73 3.97 0.006
Zn 3.55 3.67 0.009

*Trace levels of Fe and Ni are not detectable in this alloy due to high levels of Cu that absorb transition metal X-rays

Conclusion

The NEX QC+ QuantEZ provides a rapid, non- destructive means for semi- quantitative measurement for screening, identification and other semi-quant needs without the need for a special library. To optimize the FP results for a specific family of alloys, the QuantEZ software also gives the user a simple way of creating a Matching Library using one more certified alloy sample of that family type, providing a fast and simple means to design libraries to fit exact analysis needs.

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