Why use an XRF Scientific fusion machine?

IAM Drijfhout offers both gas and electrically driven fusion machines from XRF Scientific. We would like to explain the differences between the different types of fusion machines.

Why fusion machine from XRF Scientific?

• Compact machines and easy to use.
• More safety measures than the minimum required by law; for example, the entire machine never gets hotter than 50°C on the outside. XRF machines have two safety connectors for activation and two thermocouples where machine automatically shuts down when measuring more than 50°C difference.
• Comprehensive after-sales service; XRF Scientific offers a complete and comprehensive solution; machine, accessories, consultancy, service and maintenance.

Gas versus electric fusion machine

There are gas and electrically driven fusion machines. Gas driven machines are generally used when the necessary infrastructure (gas supply and extraction) is in place, otherwise electric machines are often preferred.

The Phoenix Go 1 is a gas machine, with the unique point that it only needs one gas (instead of oxygen and gas). However, electric machines are becoming increasingly popular because they require no gas at all and thus no connections and suction. Electric, on the other hand, takes longer (about 30%) and uses more flux. Gas machines have an individual gas supply for each position and mix better due to different shaking system. Not all XRF gas machines have an ICP option.

XRF fusion versus ICP sample analysis

There are two ways to prepare XRF samples: fusion and ICP. There is a trend toward ICP, mainly because it is more precise.

• In XRF fusion, the sample is heated and poured into a bead (glass disk) in a bead tray.
  – Advantages fusion: fast (10-15 min).
  – Disadvantages: less precise (10 ppm) and 10 grams of sample is needed.
• In ICP, the sample is heated and then poured into an acid. It remains a liquid in this case, which is read by the spectrometer in a capsule.
  – Advantages ICP: very precise (down to ppb level), 1-2 grams of sample needed.
  – Disadvantages: takes 3-4 hours, sometimes extreme acids are needed that can only be used in separated parts of the lab.

You can read more about fusion technique and ICP in XRF sample analysis here.

You are welcome to contact us with any questions you might have.