Rigaku NEX QC EDXRF for analysis of iron in aluminium

Applied Rigaku Technologies has announced an empirical method for the analysis of iron in aluminium. Application Note #1237 demonstrates the performance and versatility of the Rigaku NEX QC energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analyser for qualitative screening of low- and high-grade aluminium.

Commercial production of aluminium begins with the separation of aluminium oxide from the iron oxide in bauxite, the primary source of aluminium. The alumina, silica and iron content of the ore samples help determine purity and alloy quality, thus playing a significant role in the selection of a bauxite mine site.

The concentration of iron is also particularly important during the smelting process to control the grade of the aluminium produced. The levels of iron are therefore closely monitored in the QA/QC process, which requires a simple and fast analysis in order to maintain the optimum product output. The product is designed to be a suitable tool for the non-destructive measurement of iron and other elements in aluminium.

For this application, data was collected from disk samples approximately 8 cm diameter and 1 cm thick, cut from an extrusion billet cylinder. Three assayed standards were used for calibration. Each standard was measured once using a 100 s analysis time. The results show the analyser provides good performance for the measurement of iron in aluminium. Spectral results also show the versatility of the analyser for qualitative screening of low- and high-grade aluminium, as well as the capability to screen for other elements in the process.