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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:

 CRB GmbH | Röntgenmikroanalyse metallischer Einschlüsse in einer Schlacke | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH   CRB GmbH | Röntgenmikroanalyse von Einschlüssen auf einem Stahlblech | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH   CRB GmbH | Röntgenmikroanalyse von Lagerkugeln | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH   CRB GmbH | Röntgenmikroanalyse von Verfärbungen auf einer Keramikfliese | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH 

metallic inclusions in slag

inclusions in steel sheets

balls from a bearing

discolorations on ceramics

 

Elemental analysis, qualitative

Elemental analysis, semi-quantitative to quantitative

CRB GmbH | Qualitative Röntgenmikroanalyse über energiedispersive Elementspektren | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH CRB GmbH | Quantitative Röntgenmikroanalyse gemäß ISO 22309 | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH

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

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

 

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

CRB GmbH | SEM-EDX - Lage eines Profils für einen Linescan | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH CRB GmbH | SEM-EDX - Linescan für die Elemente Al, Cu, Ag | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH

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

EDX element mappings

CRB GmbH | SEM-EDX - Elementmapping - Cu-Netz auf Al | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH

SEM image of a copper net glued on an aluminium plate with silver coating.

Image width approx.  1,3 cm.

 

 

CRB GmbH | SEM-EDX - Elementmapping - Verteilung von Aluminium | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH CRB GmbH | SEM-EDX - Elementmapping - Verteilung von Kupfer | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH

Element mapping for aluminium

Element mapping for copper

CRB GmbH | SEM-EDX - Elementmapping - Verteilung von Silber | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH CRB GmbH | SEM-EDX - Elementmapping - Kombinierte Abb. für Cu, Al, Ag | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH
Element mapping for silver

Combined element mapping for the elements aluminium, copper, silver overlapped by SEM image.

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
CRB GmbH | SEM - Bilderzeugung am Rasterelektronenmikroskop | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH

 


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

 

CRB GmbH | SEM - Bilderzeugung am Rasterelektronenmikroskop 1 | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH

SEM images of amphibole, amosite, next to idiomorphic quartz crystals,

Approx. 1600X magnification ,

Image width approx. 190 µm

 

 

CRB GmbH | SEM - Bilderzeugung am Rasterelektronenmikroskop 2 | (c) CRB Analyse Service GmbH

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.

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.

Asbestos Analysis0

Reliable analysis of asbestos with SEM/EDXORDER NOW!

Order inquiry & contact

  • Tel.: +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-0
  • fax: +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-260

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