When conducting XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) analysis, the size of the sample you need can vary depending on the type of sample and the specific requirements of the analysis.
5 Key Points to Consider
1. Solid and Powdered Samples
For solid samples, you need a flat and clean surface for measurement.
Typically, this surface should have a diameter of either 32 mm or 40 mm.
This ensures that the XRF instrument can accurately analyze the elemental composition across the entire sample area.
Powdered samples require additional preparation to ensure homogeneity and accurate results.
The sample must be ground to a fine powder, with an optimal grain size of less than 75 µm.
This fine grinding helps in achieving a uniform distribution of elements within the sample, which is crucial for accurate XRF analysis.
After grinding, the powder is poured into a cuvette to form a flat, even surface without voids between the grains.
The pressing procedure involves applying a load to compress the powder into a solid pellet.
The required load varies depending on the type of sample, ranging from as low as 2 tons for foodstuffs to up to 40 tons for mineral ores.
2. Liquid Samples
Liquid samples can be analyzed directly using XRF without specific size requirements.
The method is not sensitive to the state of aggregation, allowing for straightforward measurement of liquid samples.
3. Special Considerations
In some cases, such as when analyzing iron in a sample, using Tungsten Carbide die pellets can help avoid contamination.
Additionally, for samples requiring better homogenization, a fused bead technique can be used, where the sample is mixed with a flux and heated to high temperatures.
However, this method may dilute trace elements, affecting their detection.
4. Surface Preparation
Proper surface preparation is essential for obtaining reliable results from XRF analysis.
This includes ensuring that the sample surface is flat and clean, especially for solid and powdered samples.
5. Homogeneity
Ensuring homogeneity in the sample is crucial for accurate XRF analysis.
This is particularly important for powdered samples, where the grain size and distribution of elements need to be uniform.
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