Thermo Fisher ARL OPTIM’X XRF/ARL 3460 Advantage spectrometers

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched an integrated solution for the metals industry which combines the power of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) with optical emission spectrometry (OES). The solution optimises the Thermo Scientific ARL OPTIM’X WDXRF slag analyser in combination with the Thermo Scientific ARL 3460 Advantage OES metals analyser.

This pairing for foundries and metal processing companies offers effective analyses of metallurgic slags and alloys by WDXRF and quick and accurate investigation of solid metals by OES. With this product offering, primary and secondary metals producers are able to utilise two techniques at once and undertake total quality analyses with ease.

OES provides rapid analysis of carbon and low nitrogen along with all other alloying elements in irons and steel while XRF offers most reliable and repeatable analysis of metallurgical slags, raw materials, including iron ores and sinters and cast irons. In addition, XRF assures high repeatability, which makes the technique effective for the control of major elements and expensive alloying elements.

The ARL OPTIM’X spectrometer is a compact XRF solution for all nonmetallic samples as well as major and minor elements in metals. As well as providing lowest cost of ownership for a WDXRF instrument with practically no peripheral support (neither internal nor external water cooling, nor compressed air), the ARL OPTIM’X slag analyser allows quick sample preparation and fast analysis. In addition to common oxides such as CaO, SiO₂, MgO, Na₂O, Al₂O₃, S, K₂O, Fe₂O₃, the instrument is capable of analysing fluorine in slags wherever needed. Slags can be analysed both as directly cast slags and as pressed pellets after grinding and pelletisation. Fusion beads can also be used for ultimate accuracy and control.

The ARL 3460 Advantage spectrometer offers increased reliability and stability. The spectrometer ensures trouble-free operation with minimal maintenance costs over the entire lifetime of the instrument. With optical configuration optimised to cover most of the analytical requirements in a foundry, users benefit from the highest quality technology to ensure improved metals analysis in terms of quality and productivity in addition to low operational costs.

The ARL OPTIM’X and ARL 3460 Advantage are delivered with factory calibrations for immediate operation and use. Both instruments are driven by Thermo Scientific Windows 7-based OXSAS analytical software helping the user quickly learn and operate the two instruments.