Years ago, metal fabricators and quality control personnel needed to conduct expensive, time-consuming laboratory tests to perform material verification. Advances in technology for elemental analysis have empowered users to obtain laboratory-grade results virtually instantaneously in the field. Oftentimes, the biggest challenge can be choosing the right technology for your application. Today’s elemental analysis techniques include handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF), handheld laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Understanding how these technologies stack up against each other is essential so that you can confidently choose the best option for your business.
XRF, LIBS, and OES are different types of elemental analysis techniques. Each works in its own way to provide results (with various pros and cons). Users may choose one technology over the other for a magnitude of reasons. First, let’s explore how each technology works.