XRF spectrometer testing – how to do it properly?

Month by month, more and more collection points cooperating with DS AUTO purchase handheld spectrometers with our help.

This is a special device used to analyze the chemical composition of the material. With its help, we can quickly identify steel alloys, non-ferrous metals and aluminum. In the case of purchasing catalysts, XRF (X-ray fluorescence) spectrometers are most often used, which use the XRF X-ray fluorescence method.

Spectrometer testing focuses on measuring the radiation intensity and wavelength emitted by a given element after it is excited by X-rays. With proper calibration, the measurement result is very accurate and allows us to precisely determine the content of platinum, palladium and rhodium in ceramics.

In our work, we use the best available technological solutions, which is why we recommend the VANTA model by Olympus to our clients.

Why do we need a spectrometer?

We provide our clients with an extensive pricing application – CatCatalog, which contains over 9,100 models. The problem occurs when the catalytic converter number is rare and not in the database, the markings on the cover are invisible, the casing is damaged or fallen off and the customer only provided you with the insert.

Then it is necessary to use an XRF spectrometer to determine the content of platinum, palladium and rhodium. The information obtained using the spectrometer, together with information about the weight of the delivered ceramics and current stock exchange rates, allows us to calculate the value of the material in front of us.

Errors made during measurement

When money and the reputation of the purchaser are at stake, there are no possible measurement errors. Unfortunately, we still hear about situations in which the analysis is performed inappropriately and gross errors are made.

In order for the measurement to be carried out properly and the obtained result to be reliable, we must properly prepare the material for testing.

It is necessary to cut out (if the ceramics are in the case) the monolith and grind it. We do not measure through the housing, nor is it enough to make a hole in the housing or apply the spectrometer to only one cube of the insert. Such a measurement will not be reliable and will not allow us to obtain information about the actual value of the material. First, the ceramics must be ground and homogenized. We can put the unified material to the test.

To sum up: If we failed to recognize the catalyst and find it in the catalog, the casing is damaged and the number is invisible – it is necessary to use an XRF spectrometer, which quickly provides us with information on the content of precious metals in the material. In order to obtain reliable information and pay the customer a fair amount for the part, it is important to properly prepare the material for testing. The insert should be cut out from the housing and ground.