Portable XRF Spectrometrs for Metal Analysis & Scrap Sorting

Scrap metal identification and sorting are some of the most important tasks in recycling. The analysis might take days if not months, depending on the pile. But if you have a handheld XRF for scrap metal sorting, speed and efficiency are guaranteed.

Alloys That Can Be Detected During Scrap Metal Identification

X-ray spectrometer analysis will detect and identify all steels, as well as the following alloy bases:

• Alluminium
• Magnesium
• Titanium
• Cobalt
• Nickel
• Copper
• Zinc
• Precious metals
• Rare-Earth metals
• Niobium
• Lead
• Zinc
• Tin

This list is sufficient for any metal sample identification with a handheld XRF for scrap metal sorting.

What kind of metal sample preparation is required for XRF analysis?

X-ray metal testers have very low demands in terms of sample preparation. The main requirement for accurate analysis is a clean and smooth surface to perform analysis on. The main concern for metal analysis by XRF method is surface contamination, especially when analyzing light elements such as aluminum or silica in a sample. It is advised to have a set of metal files for each type of metal alloy you intend to analyze and to file sample surface before the measurement to get rid of any possible surface contamination. It is very important not to use a single file for different alloys, as in this case, you will contaminate the sample with particles from a previously filed sample, which will distort the measurement results.  Other than that portable metal analyzers require no additional sample preparation for accurate measurement.

What information can be obtained from XRF analysis of metals?

XRF metal testers provide accurate and precise chemical composition of a sample. Handheld spectrometers for metal analysis however can not provide any information about the structural composition of a sample, apart from that, which can be deduced based on its elemental composition by a user. Also, it is worth mentioning that the XRF method is unsuitable for the analysis of elements with atomic number Z < 11, which makes handheld XRF metal analyzers unable to analyze, for example, the carbon content in steels. However, even with these limitations, a handheld spectrometer for metal analysis remains a powerful tool for elemental analysis of a wide range of samples, as often, information about low Z element concentration is not required in practical tasks. Additionally handheld metal analyzers can detect a wide range of coating and measure its thickness with accuracy in the order of fractions of micron. To sum up, an XRF portable spectrometer for metal analysis can provide quantitative information about a sample's composition and the coating's presence and thickness.

Related products

ProSpector 2

Portable, handheld EDXRF metal analyzer.

ProSpector 3

New generation portable, handheld XRF elemental analyzer.

Handheld XRF Testers by Elvatech

Elvatech has been in the business for 30 years now, evolving and improving every device. Now, we can offer the best scrap metal identification result ratio with our highly portable models:

• ProSpector 2
• ProSpector 3

ProSpector 2 is our customers` favorite time-tested XRF gun for scrap metal. It offers a speed of more than 500,000 CPS count rate, adjusts pressure and temperature when needed for the best result, and works for hours on one battery charge.
10 hours of operation combined with radiation safety and protective film which can be replaced with no tools when needed. This scrap metal analyzer identifies alloys in seconds and is very light, which means you can bring it to the site.

ProSpector 3 is a newer, more advanced scrap metal tester. It has all the benefits the second XRF spectrometer for metals offers. However, it`s lighter, faster, and has two CCD cameras for macro and micro-view.
It can work up to 16 hours on one battery charge, saving you even more time. This X-ray scrap metal sorter is compatible with ElvaX TM PC software and offers improved protection of the detector. ProSpector 3 is dust and waterproof, which makes it an even more durable, justified investment. It`s the lightest on the market!

Advantages of X-Ray Fluorescent Analyzers for Scrap Sorting

Every described Elvatech XRF metal analyzer is suitable for high-accuracy metal sorting because:

• ProSpectors are the lightest device options on the market
• Every XRF gun for scrap metal is the fastest you can find
• The machine is also protected from dust and damages
• The instrument has a diverse material list it can detect and identify
• There are cost-effective options

Investing in a spectrometer for metals now, you won`t find metal sorting or identifying the needed element difficult.

F.A.Q.

Is XRF analysis the most accurate way to determine metals?

It may depend on the metal composition, as the XRF method has lower accuracy for low Z elements, however even in this case XRF is the most accurate express analysis method.

In what industries is XRF analysis for metal analysis commonly

used?

Metal analysis via XRF is widely used in the metallurgy and manufacturing industry to ensure product quality and compliance with industry standards.

Is XRF analysis a destructive testing method for metals?

No, XRF is a completely non-destructive method that does no damage to a sample, and can be safely used for analysis of valuable objects or finished goods.