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Lithium borate fusion is a sample preparation method that allows samples to be presented to an x-ray spectrometer (XRF) for accurate analysis. Industries such as glass, steel, cement, nickel, copper and iron ore often use this method for sample preparation. Companies use the analysis process to monitor any issues and control the quality of their production.

The following items are required to perform sample preparation:

It is a standard process to examine a flux blank without any sample, especially when the contaminant concentrations in the flux have to be determined to correct or factor these out of the calculations. Yet, this is only possible when there is a low level of contaminants in the flux and when the contaminants are well below the levels that the lab is attempting to analyze for.

Preferably, the measured levels of contaminants in the flux must be at least an order of magnitude lower than the predicted levels in the sample. For instance, if a laboratory is attempting to study a sample with a predicted phosphorus level of 70 ppm while the contamination level of phosphorus in the flux is 1 ppm (or 10 ppm once multiplied by the dilution factor), then the final result can be determined by subtracting the contamination figure. Conversely, if the level of contamination in the flux is, for example, 10 ppm (100 ppm once multiplied by the dilution factor), the contamination level of phosphorous in the sample cannot be sufficiently reported by the XRF machine as it is likely to calculate a negative or erroneous result.

There are several reasons why high levels of contaminants in flux can considerably affect XRF results:

There are a number of reasons why high levels of contaminants in flux cannot be easily factored out by the XRF spectrometer. Not only is this not permitted under International Standards, but the levels of containments may vary in each bottle of flux, based on how well the batch (which is made up of numerous bottles) has been mixed by the manufacturer. It is also tricky when the levels and types of contaminates differ between batches of flux, as this hinders with the total calibration of the XRF spectrometer, that is only setup once and then checked periodicaly for accuracy.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by XRF Scientific.

For more information on this source, please visit XRF Scientific.

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