Glass Bead Sample Preparation forXRF

AbstractX‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is often used for bulk elemental analysis. A commercial apparatus equipped with automatic calculation software can obtain semiquantitative composition values of major and minor elements in a solid sample without sample preparation. However, reliable and traceable determination requires strict analytic procedures including appropriate sample preparation and a favored calibration curve method. The glass bead sample preparation technique is much better suited for such determination than direct measurement of a solid sample with no sample preparation or powdered sample preparation such as pressed briquettes and loose powder. The fluorescent X‐ray intensity varies with physical and chemical factors such as heterogeneity of the measured sample and matrix effects including X‐ray absorption and enhancement on the measured specimen. These interfering factors can be largely overcome using glass bead sample preparation including sample fusion with a borate matrix. Then homogeneous specimens of sample and standard can be prepared easily for oxidizing samples such as geochemical igneous rock, environmental soil, archaeological ceramics, and industrial raw materials such as iron ore. This article presents details of glass bead sample preparation for reliable and accurate results. Calibration curve methods with appropriate standards, especially synthetic standard glass beads with chemical reagents, are also described.