Analysis of glass

Significance of the topic

Glass composition analysis is critical for quality control and tailoring physical properties in construction, automotive, and specialty applications. Accurate quantification of major oxides and trace colorants ensures performance and meets regulatory standards.

Objectives and study overview

This application note demonstrates how the ARL PERFORM'X 4200 W XRF spectrometer delivers precise quantitative analysis of flat glass components. Calibration strategies, detection limits, and repeatability assessments are presented to validate method performance.

Methodology and instrumentation

The ARL PERFORM'X 4200 W system features a rhodium X-ray tube with 50 micron Be window, six primary beam filters, nine crystals, and dual detectors to cover elements from sodium to selenium. A helium purge option and advanced LoadSafe design safeguard sample integrity. Calibration was performed using flat glass standards, relating elemental intensities to oxide concentrations. Both standard 100 s counting and shorter runs were used to evaluate sensitivity and repeatability.

Main results and discussion

• Detection limits for common oxides range from 0.7 ppm for TiO2 to 9.2 ppm for MgO using 100 s counting per line.
• Ten-repeat analyses at 10 s per line yielded standard deviations below 0.03 percent for major components, indicating excellent short-term stability.
• Additional tests with varied counting times confirmed consistently low variability for both major oxides and trace colorants.

Benefits and practical applications

• Rapid ppm-level detection supports efficient monitoring of colorant oxides in automotive and architectural glasses.
• Robust analytical stability minimizes recalibration frequency, improving throughput in QA QC laboratories.
• LoadSafe and Secutainer safety features protect samples and instrument during liquid and powder analyses.

Future trends and potential applications

With emerging glass technologies, demand for comprehensive multi-element analysis in recycled and smart glass will grow. Advances in automation, detector sensitivity, and data processing algorithms will further expand capabilities and reduce analysis time.

Conclusion

The ARL PERFORM'X 4200 W XRF spectrometer provides sub-ppm detection, high repeatability, and streamlined workflows for flat glass analysis. Its advanced instrumentation and safety features make it ideal for industrial and research laboratories focused on glass quality and innovation.

References

• Application note AN41657, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2024