Verification of grade or alloy type along with the quantitive analysis of chemical compositions is accomplished with an Alloy Analyzer manufactured by Niton Corporation. This instrument can identify the alloy composition of a variety of components such as pipe, plate, welds and welding material, machined parts, castings, etc.

This verification is accomplished with the analytical technique of radioisotope excited x-ray fluorescence. Alloy identification is performed by recognizing the unique combination of x-ray intensities corresponding to specified element composition ranges. Quantitive analysis of detectable elements is performed by a micro-computer performing calculation routines using all available x-ray intensity information in order to compensate for inter-element effects.

The material to be analyzed is exposed for a controlled period of time to x-radiation from the sources in the model XLP-800. Source x-rays interact with the atoms of some elements in the material causing them to emit x-rays which are characteristics of the element.

X-ray energy selection is accomplished in two ways; electronically and by means of special filters which preferentially transmit the desired x-ray compared to the background radiation. Several combinations of filters are used. Radiation passing through each filter is detected by a gain-stabilized scintillation counter which generates electrical pulses proportional in amplitude to the energy of the detected x-ray. These pulses are amplified in the electronic unit and sorted into three main amplitude groups corresponding to x-rays of low energy, medium energy, and high energy. Pulses in each group are accumulated in several digital registers for a preset time after which the contents are transferred to the data processor unit for computation.

This unit is completely field portable with battery power and is safe to use in most environments.