X-ray fluorescence
XRF provides chemical analysis for materials characterization, grade and process control. XRF is routinely used not only during exploration and exploitation in the mining process but also during alumina production, in the electrolysis, and finally in metals characterization. Typically analyzed materials comprise bauxite; alumina and red mud; additives to the electrolysis such as cryolite, CaF2, AlF3, MgF2, or LiF; the bath electrolyte itself; cast aluminum and its alloys. Furthermore, refractory materials, raw material for anode production and the anode coals are investigated with XRF.
Micro-XRF offers the analysis of elemental composition, distribution and coating inhomogeneity in accordance with industrial standards for routine quality control and failure analysis. Bruker's tabletop instruments provide quick, non-destructive analysis by X-ray tube and collimation down to 0.5 mm, or polycapillary optic down to 20 µm.