Elemental composition
Identify and quantify the elements present, typically Na to U.
Useful forUnknown materials, minerals, residuesElemental & Composition
XRF
X-ray Fluorescence
XRF measures which elements a sample contains, and how much, from the characteristic X-rays they emit under an X-ray beam. It is fast and non-destructive, covering major elements down to ppm levels.
1 test optionElements typically Na to UMajor elements to ppm levelsTypical turnaround 3–5 working days
XRF measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is XRF?
X-ray Fluorescence irradiates the sample with X-rays from a tube. They eject inner-shell electrons, and as outer electrons fill the vacancies each element emits fluorescent X-rays at its own characteristic energies. A detector sorts these by energy or wavelength, and peak intensities give concentrations.
XRF measures solids, pressed powders and liquids with little preparation and no acid digestion, so it is quicker than ICP for major and minor elements. It cannot detect the lightest elements (H to around F), is less sensitive than ICP-MS for trace metals, and gives no chemical-state or phase information.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Sample is prepared
Powders are pressed into pellets or filled into a cup; solids are measured on a flat face.
- 02
X-rays excite atoms
Primary X-rays from the tube eject inner-shell electrons from atoms in the sample.
- 03
Atoms fluoresce
Outer electrons fill the vacancies, and each element emits X-rays at its own energies.
- 04
Spectrum is quantified
The detector sorts X-rays by energy; peak intensities are converted into concentrations.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Oxide composition
Report major elements as oxides such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and CaO.
Useful forCement, clays, glass, ceramics, oresHeavy & toxic metals
Screen for elements such as Pb, Cd and Cr at ppm levels.
Useful forSoils, plastics, consumer productsAlloy composition
Check the major and alloying elements in metals.
Useful forSteels, brasses, aluminium alloysElements in liquids
Measure elements such as S, Cl or metals in oils and solutions.
Useful forOils, fuels, liquid products04 / Test options
Choose the XRF options you need
1 option · none added yet
05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Powders, pressed pellets, flat solids, metal pieces, liquids
- Powder quantity
- Around 5–10 g preferred; a few grams can be run in a cup
- Solid size
- Flat face roughly 20–40 mm across
- Liquids
- About 10 mL in a sealed, leak-proof bottle
- Particle size
- Finely ground (roughly under 75 µm) for best accuracy
- Dry, finely ground and well-mixed powder
- Flat, clean surface on solid and metal pieces
- List the elements of interest and expected levels
- No volatile, flammable or corrosive liquids without discussing first
- No wet or damp powders
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- XRF spectrum (intensity vs energy)
- Detected elements list
- Element or oxide concentrations (wt% / ppm)
- Raw data files
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 3–5 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
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