ASTM E539 – 11 Analysis of Titanium Alloys by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Scope:

It is designed for routine production control and chemical composition assessment to ensure material specification compliance. This method’s analytical performance data can be used as a benchmark to see if similar X-ray spectrometers produce comparable precision and accuracy.

Procedure:

After finishing the specimen to a clean, uniform surface, high-energy X-ray photons are used to irradiate it. From the sample, secondary X rays are produced and emitted. The light is diffracted by crystals and focused on a detector, which counts the count rates at different wavelengths. The detector’s output is integrated for a certain amount of time or until the counts reach a predetermined number. The mass fractions of elements are calculated by comparing the measured radiation of unknown samples to calibration curves created with known-composition reference materials. 

Specimen size:

The test specimens must be of sufficient size to be fabricated into a flat-surfaced piece that will fit inside the cup used to conduct the test.

Data:

Mass fractions of the elements are determined in the specimen using the count rates and calibration curves.