Analysis of glass by X-ray fluorescence with the ARL OPTIM’X WD-XRF Spectrometer

Význam tématu

Accurate compositional analysis of glass is critical for quality control, product consistency and research in industries ranging from container manufacturing to advanced optics. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy provides a rapid, non-destructive way to quantify major, minor and trace oxides in diverse glass formulations.

Cíle a přehled studie

This application note evaluates the performance of the ARL OPTIM’X wavelength-dispersive XRF spectrometer for soda-lime glass analysis. Key objectives include establishing detection limits for common glass oxides, assessing analytical precision and demonstrating suitability for routine glass testing.

Použitá metodika a instrumentace

The ARL OPTIM’X WD-XRF system is equipped with an air-cooled rhodium tube (50 W, equivalent to a 200 W conventional system) and a thin beryllium window. Samples are prepared as pressed powder pellets. Analytical conditions are 40 kV and 1.25 mA tube settings, a 0.29° collimator and dedicated crystals (AX06, PET, LiF200) coupled with a flow proportional counter detector. The SmartGonio™ goniometer ensures optimal resolution for light and heavy elements.

Hlavní výsledky a diskuse

Limits of detection for key oxides in soda-lime glass range from a few ppm for heavy oxides (e.g. SrO at 2.4 ppm, ZrO₂ at 1.8 ppm, ZnO at 3.6 ppm) up to 100 ppm for light elements such as Na₂O. Major components like SiO₂ and CaO are quantified without relevant LOD. Precision tests on two standard samples over eleven replicates yield relative standard deviations typically below 0.5 % for major oxides and under 10 % for trace elements at a 36 s counting time. Doubling acquisition time can improve precision by a factor of 1.4.

Přínosy a praktické využití metody

• Rapid multi-element analysis of glass compositions in under one hour per sample.
• Non-destructive measurement suitable for both research and industrial QC labs.
• High sensitivity to trace colorants (Cr, Fe, Mn) important for colored glass applications.
• Flexible setup with interchangeable crystals to cover light and heavy elements.

Budoucí trendy a možnosti využití

Future developments may include integration of advanced detector technologies for even lower detection limits, automation for high-throughput glass production lines, portable WD-XRF units for on-site analysis and machine learning-driven calibration models to handle novel glass formulations and complex matrices.

Závěr

The ARL OPTIM’X WD-XRF spectrometer delivers precise, reliable quantification of major, minor and trace oxides in soda-lime glass. Its low limits of detection, excellent repeatability and flexible configuration make it a robust tool for both industrial quality control and glass research.

Reference

Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2023. Application note AN41708: Analysis of glass by X-ray fluorescence with the ARL OPTIM’X WD-XRF Spectrometer.