X-ray microanalysis, EDX

& imaging by means of Scanning electron microscopy, SEM

There are various fields of application for scanning electron microscopes in combination with energy-dispersive X-Ray microanalysis, EDX. Below you find some exemplary applications.

Many more issues can be clarified by means of our microstructural and microanalytical test procedures.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.

B2C

B2b

X-ray microanalysis, EDX

The energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, EDX using scanning electron microscope

The energy-dispersive microanalysis, EDX using scanning electron microscope is used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of minimal sample volumes down to µm³-size like

Inclusions
Contaminations
Individual dust particles
Efflorescences like so-called out-bloomings

and for

Chemical characterizations of unknown materials

metallic inclusions in slag

inclusions in steel sheets

balls from a bearing

discolorations on ceramics

Elemental analysis, qualitative

The qualitative X-ray microanalysis is carried by means of energy-dispersive element spectra.In this case basalt fibres consisting of the principal components Na-Al-Mg-Si-K-Ca-Ti-Fe + O.

Elemental analysis, semi-quantitative to quantitative

Ideally, semiquantitative to quantitative X-ray micro analyses are carried out using samples with a plane and flat surface.Preferably metallic workpieces or polished grindings of oxidic raw materials.The calculation of the element concentration is carried out standardless by so-called ZAF-correction according to ISO 22309.

The example on the right shows the results of a collaborative study microanalysis.

You find the complete documentation here (german version).

Prices X-ray microanalysis, EDX

Mapping, Linescan

Element mappings and linescans

The Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM in combination with an energy-dispersive detector system, EDX is perfectly suited for the presentation of material contrasts, element distributions, by element mappings and linescans.

Ideally, mappings and linescans are carried out using samples with a plane and flat surface: Metallic workpieces or polished grindings of oxidic raw materials are particularly suitable.

EDX element mappings

SEM image of a copper net glued on an aluminium plate with silver coating. The position of the profile is highlighted in green. Image width approx. 1,3 mm.

EDX - Linescans

EDX linescan for the elements aluminium (green), copper (red), silver (blue) along the limit line in the above diagram.

Prices X-ray microanalysis, EDX

The formation of SEM images

Being a high – resolution image formation device the Scanning Electron Microscope can ideally be used for imaging ? surfaces and microscopic structures.

The abundance of options for its use in natural sciences, technical and medical applications make it impossible to offer a complete list right here.

This method allows images with different resolutions and in TIF format without losses or as JPEG file.

We offer the following image resolutions:

Standard resolution: 654 x 522 px / file size approx. 0,35 MB
Low HD-resolution: 2576 x 1936 px / file size approx. 4,8 MB
Medium HD-resolution: 3232 x 2420 px / file size approx. 7,5 MB
High HD-resolution: 3872 x 2904 px / file size approx. 10,7 MB

Two sets of image series in the 4 different quality levels specified above can be found here.

Sample image: SEM images of amphibole, amosite, next to idiomorphic quartz crystals, approx. 1600x magnification, image width approx. 190 µm

Prices X-ray microanalysis, EDX

Grain size distribution, determination of fibre diameter

Wherever classic procedures like laser granulometry and sieve analysis cannot be applied/ are not suitable geometric features like grain size and fibre diameter distribution or e.g. the Lenth-Weighted Geometric Mean Diameter, LWGMD, of man-made mineral fibres by means of SEM can be determined