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Entries close August 31st – you’ve still got time!
XRF can detect most elements on the periodic table, generally starting from magnesium (atomic number 12) through to uranium (atomic number 92). It is particularly good at identifying metals like gold, silver, iron, and copper. It can also find heavy metals and environmental contaminants like lead or arsenic in very small amounts.
An XRF analyser measures the individual elements that make up a material. It tells you both what is in the sample (qualitative) and exactly how much of it is there (quantitative). It is most commonly used to check the chemistry of metals, soil, rocks, and various manufactured goods.
A handheld XRF analyser works by firing X-rays into a sample, which causes the atoms inside to release their own energy. The device has a built-in detector that catches this energy to identify the elements and calculate their concentrations. This gives you a full chemical breakdown on a screen in just a few seconds while you are out in the field.
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive way to figure out what elements are inside a material. By hitting a sample with X-rays, the device measures the “glow” or fluorescent X-rays coming back to identify exactly what is there and in what amount.