Iron & Steel Solutions
Industrial Process & Quality Control
Because every process step poses individual analytical requirements, there is no single analytical technique matching all requirements. In fact, multiple, complementary techniques are used and will become more imperative to optimize cost and quality.
At Bruker, we use our analytical knowledge to provide quality and processes control for iron and steelmaking producers throughout the whole supply chain – from product development and production to quality control and incoming goods inspections. We supply complete systems to reliably identify and quantify compounds and trace elements.
Elemental Screening of Raw Materials, Melts and Finished Products with XRF
Elemental screening via X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) helps to ensure quality and consistency in iron and steel production - from the qualification of ores and scrap to in-process melt analysis and the quality control of finished products.
XRF allows users to:
- Verify alloy composition with quantitative analysis of elements such as Cr, Ni, Mo, Mn, Si, P and S.
- Analyse ferroalloys and fluxes.
- Quantify tramp/residual elements, such as Cu, Sn, Sb), and track slag chemistry via analysis of oxides SiO₂, CaO, Al₂O₃, FeO, and MgO.
- Monitoring incoming raw materials, whether solid or liquid, with minimal sample preparation.
By providing rapid feedback, XRF enables tighter process control and the responsive optimization of flux additions whilst improving efficency and reducing waste. The quantitative nature of XRF is perfect for compliance and maintaining quality standards via pass or fail metrics.
