XRF Analyzer Tutorial

What is an XRF Analyzer? What are the main parts of a Niton XL3T analyzer? How does it work? This short 2 minute video presented by Atlas Inspection Technologies’ President Darren Billings, answers these questions and also provides basic care and use instructions in a clear and easy to follow format.

What is an XRF Analyzer

XRF analyzers are instruments that use x ray florescence to allow users to identify the elemental make up of alloys and numerous other materials to determine heavy metal content in soils, look for lead in toys and other kids products, and numerous other applications.

Niton XL3T XRF Analyzers

The Niton XL3t portable hand held XRF analyzer is simple to operate and provides extremely fast results. It allows for encrypted data capture and for data export.

XRF Analyzer Safety: Niton XL3T Safe Use and Handling

It is absolutely imperative that the unit be operated safely to avoid exposure to x rays. These analyzers contains an x-ray tube which emits radiation only when the user turns the x-ray tube on. When the x-ray tube is on and the shutter is open, as during a measurement, the analyzer emits a directed radiation beam. Reasonable effort should be made to maintain exposures to radiation as far below dose limits as is practical. This is known as the ALARA principle where ALARA stands for As Low as Reasonably Achievable. For any given source of radiation, three factors will help minimize your radiation exposure: Time, Distance, and Shielding.

Alara Principal

Time Distance and Shielding

Time — The longer you are exposed to a source of radiation the longer the radiation is able to interact in your body and the greater the dose you receive. Dose increases in direct proportion to length of exposure.

Distance — The closer you are to a source of radiation, the more radiation strikes you. Based on geometry alone, dose increases and decreases with an inverse-squared relation to your distance from the source of radiation (additional dose rate reduction comes from air attenuation). For example, the radiation dose one foot from a source is nine times greater than the dose three feet from the source. Remember to keep your hands and all body parts away from the front end of the analyzer when the shutter is open to minimize your exposure.

Shielding — Shielding is any material that is placed between you and the radiation source. The more material between you and the source, or the denser the material, the less you will be exposed to that radiation. Supplied or optional test stands are an additional source of shielding for analysis. A backscatter shield accessory is also available and may be appropriate in some applications.

Niton XL3T Handheld XRF analyzers are used safely every day using these simple guidelines. Please don’t hesitate to call Atlas Inspection at 800 281 0650 or info@atlas-inspection.com with any safety or application questions or simply for more information.

XRF Analyzer Care and Use

Users can avoid costly repairs with proper care of the camera. You should avoid dropping the analyzer and any other high impact events and the instrument should not be allowed to get wet. For complete care and maintenance instructions please refer to the operators manual.

How to Contact Atlas Inspection Technologies

Please don’t hesitate to call Atlas Inspection Technologies at 800.281.0650, 206.774.8704 or email Atlas Inspection Technologies with any questions or for more information.

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