X-ray microanalysis, EDX and 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.
Our services for you:
- X-ray microanalysis, EDX
- Element mappings, linescans
- Imaging by means of SEM
- Grain size determination, fibre length
- Damage assessment
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.
Details concerning the listed areas of application:
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
Some applications:
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metallic inclusions in slag |
inclusions in steel sheets |
balls from a bearing |
discolorations on ceramics |
Elemental analysis, qualitative |
Elemental analysis, semi-quantitative to quantitative |
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The qualitative X-ray microanalysis is carried by means of energy-dispersive element spectra. |
Ideally, semiquantitative to quantitative X-ray micro analyses are carried out using samples with a plane and flat surface. The example on the right shows the results of a collaborative study microanalysis. |
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 - Linescans
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SEM image of a copper net glued on an aluminium plate with silver coating. The position of the profile is highlighted in green. |
EDX linescan for the elements aluminium (green), copper (red), silver (blue) along the limit line in the above diagram. |
EDX element mappings
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SEM image of a copper net glued on an aluminium plate with silver coating. Image width approx. 1,3 cm. |
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Element mapping for aluminium |
Element mapping for copper |
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| Element mapping for silver |
Combined element mapping for the elements aluminium, copper, silver overlapped by SEM image. |
The formation of SEM images
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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:
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SEM images of amphibole, amosite, next to idiomorphic quartz crystals, Approx. 1600X magnification , Image width approx. 190 µm |
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SEM images of chrysotile asbestos in bituminous glue, Approx. 5000X magnification, Image width approx. 60 µm |
Grain size distribution, determination of fibre diameter
WWherever 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
- qualitatively using imaging
- quantitatively by determination of particles and fibres
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.
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Determination of fibre diameters and fibre length by means of SEM |
Determination of the Lenth-Weighted Geometric Mean Diameter, LWGMD, of man-made mineral fibres. |
