NiFeCo Fundamental Parameter Method

Special steels, high-temperature alloys and superalloys are used in a wide variety of high-performance components for their characteristics such as durability, hardness, temperature stability and corrosion resistance. The production of high-specification steels requires process and quality control with very strict tolerances. The challenges of analyzing a large variety of alloying elements with wide ranges of concentrations by XRF are well known to the metals industry. In particular, the required matrix corrections and the large number of reference materials required for high-quality results are generally a concern.

The NiFeCo-FP module offers a cost-effective solution to these challenges. Malvern Panalytical’s Fundamental Parameter (FP) matrix correction algorithm is used to provide a single application program for wide-range alloys analysis of up to 21 elements. 

The NiFeCo calibration has been developed using more than 120 certified reference materials sourced from several suppliers. During the calibration process, this master calibration is transferred using six carefully selected setup samples and application template for easy method setup. With the NiFeCo-FP module a wide range of Ni-, Co- and Fe-based alloys, super alloys and steels can be analyzed with a very high accuracy and precision:

• Stainless steel

• High speed steel

• Tool steel

• Mild steel

• Nimonic steels

• Inconel

• High Mn steel

• Ni alloy

Malvern Panalytical’s Fundamental Parameter (FP) model  

The NiFeCo - FP module is designed to be used in combination with Malvern Panalytical’s FP algorithm used in the SuperQ software, which calculates matrix corrections from the theoretical principles governing the physics of X-rays. As such, FP models have a significant advantage over more traditional influence coefficient-based matrix corrections, e.g. theoretical alphas or empirical corrections. Unlike theoretical alphas calculations, the FP model calculates matrix corrections that are specific to each sample. This enables accurate analyses over wide concentration ranges and many different sample types.

The following elements and concentration ranges are covered:

Element	Concentration range (wt%)	Element	Concentration range (wt%)
Al	0.01 – 6	Cu	0.01 – 30
Si	0.01 – 2.4	Y	0.01 – 0.3
P	0.01 – 0.3	Zr	0.01 – 0.4
S	0.01 – 0.1	Nb	0.01 – 6.3
Ti	0.01 - 4	Mo	0.01 – 21
V	0.01 – 3	Hf	0.01 – 1.3
Cr	0.01 – 24	Ta	0.01 – 7.2
Mn	0.01 – 15	W	0.01 – 15
Fe	0.01 – 78	Re	0.01 – 5.4
Co	0.01 – 63	Pt	0.01 – 0.3
Ni	0.01 – 64

The NiFeCo module and setup samples are designed to be used in combination with Panalytical WD XRF instruments like Zetium. Certain hardware requirements apply. The module can be delivered as pre-calibrated solution on new systems but can also be deployed on existing instruments running SuperQ software.