TPT September 2018

T E CHNOLOG Y

Grade verification using in-line XRF TUBE and rod manufacturers can produce hundreds of different metals and alloys to meet their customers’ specifications for heat resistance, corrosion resistance, strength and workability. These customers operate in industries such as aerospace, petrochemical and nuclear power. In all cases it is important to minimise failures caused by non-conforming materials because they can have human and environmental costs in addition to the financial ramifications of liability and loss of business. radiation to be re-emitted at a different energy. XRF applies this principle using X-rays. The basics of the technique include using either an isotope or an electric tube source to illuminate a sample with X-rays. These primary or ‘incident’ X-rays cause the ionisation of atoms in the sample. Ionisation occurs when an electron is ejected from the inner orbitals of an atom and another electron drops from an outer orbital to replace it. This causes the emission of a secondary or “characteristic” X-ray. The energies of a characteristic X-ray can be used to identify the elements present in a material, and their intensities are proportional to the concentration of those elements.

XRF in general, and the FOX-IQ anal- yser in particular, can be an effective part of a 100 per cent inspection pro- tocol. Rapid test times ensure desired process throughput. Auto-ranging chemistry results, used in conjunction with a large factory grade library and user-defined pass/fail criteria, provide consistent verification of process materials. In addition to identification and differentiation, the accuracy of specific element measurements across various samples from different alloy families indicates that accurate and reliable chemistry data can also be achieved using the FOX-IQ analyser. This method enables some users to use concentrations of a select few elements as criteria for pass/fail analysis instead of complete chemistry analysis, to ensure a higher throughput of products. The ability to automate this testing using a PLC helps realise significant improvements to process efficiency through shorter testing times, greater reliability and repeatability of inspection results, and increased safety for inspectors. Of particular interest to manufacturers of tube, rod and other long products is the ability to test moving samples. Typical applications include analytical measurements at a primary mill, finishing end mill, and packing and shipping within steel, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, zirconium and copper alloy mills. Throughout further fabrication processing, the FOX IQ in-line analyser can be used to verify alloy grade. Olympus Scientific Solutions – USA Website: www.olympus-ims.com

To avoid shipping non-conforming ma- terial to their customers, manufacturers must ensure that their products meet ac- ceptable alloy chemistry specifications. Manufacturers are already using various non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to implement 100 per cent inspection for zero defect manufacturing, and handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is already a widely accepted technique for positive material identification (PMI). By combining these ideas it is possible to use process-based, in-line XRF for grade verification and to generate reliable chemistry data as part of a 100 per cent inspection protocol for long products. The term fluorescence is defined as the absorption of radiation causing

An Olympus ® FOX-IQ ® in-line XRF analyser with “alloy mode” calibration uses a 40 KeV X-ray tube to excite the sample and a silicon drift detector (SDD) to acquire spectra. A library of over 400 common, commercially available alloy grades and their chemistries is preloaded onto the instrument and used to identify the alloy grade being tested. Typically, in-line testing with the FOX- IQ analyser can be automated through integration with a programmable logic controller (PLC), which allows data to be utilised with production quality management and ERP systems.

The FOX-IQ in-line XRF analyser

Exact Tools launches new PipeCut Pro series EXACT Tools has launched its latest portable pipe cutting innovations in the Pro Series 360 model, with 280 and 450 models to follow. an overload protection ‘traffic light’ system.

The systems are suitable for on- site pipe cutting applications requiring accurate yet lightweight, easy-to-use portable equipment.

Standard features include a powerful 2,500W motor, able to cut pipe wall thicknesses of 20mm in steel and up to 50mm in plastic. The new products have a laser indicator light for precision cutting, improved adjustment mechanism for straight cutting, and

Exact Tools Oy – Finland Fax: +358 9 436 67550 Email: exact@exacttools.com Website: www.exacttools.com

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SEPTEMBER 2018