Standard Flux
LT100 – Lithium Tetraborate 100%
This flux is classified as “acidic” and is generally used for higher concentrations of basic oxide samples or for samples containing high proportions of limestone. This flux is not suitable for highly acidic samples. A major disadvantage of this flux is the relatively high melting temperature (925 degrees C) which causes accelerated wear on platinum apparatus and fusion equipment. In most parts of the world, this flux is being replaced by the later eutectic pre fused mixtures of lithium tetraborate/lithium metaborate, which give very satisfactory results with significantly lower melting temperatures, thereby prolonging platinum labware life and fusion apparatus.
66:34 – Lithium Tetraborate 66% / Lithium Metaborate 34%
This eutectic flux is more “alkaline” than the LT100 above and is more suitable for alumino-silicates and calcareous refractories. The melting temperature is 875 degrees C. This flux is used extensively in Europe and is very similar in application and properties to the 50:50 flux used in the US.
12:22 – Lithium Tetraborate 35.3% / Lithium Metaborate 64.7%
This eutectic flux is “alkaline” and has universal application particularly for alumino-silicates and more acidic oxides. It is generally less prone to cracking and is suitable for most materials such as iron ore, mineral sands, cement, nickel ore and general laboratory analysis. The melting temperature of this flux is significantly lower than the above fluxes at 825 degrees C and the life of platinum ware and fusion apparatus is therefore prolonged by using this flux. This flux formula was originally developed in Australia and is used exclusively by the iron ore, mineral sands, uranium, nickel and cement industries.
LM 100 - Litium Metaborate 100%
Lithium metaborate, LiBO2. Its melting point is 845 °C; it reacts easily with acidic samples and is therefore called a “basic” flux. Suitable for wet chemistry applications.
Custom Flux
Many other types of x-ray flux compositions are made by XRF Scientific, including Lanthanum based fluxes, Sodium based fluxes and Fluoride based fluxes. We can make all x-ray flux formulations to any customer requirement. Please contact us and let our dedicated staff assist you in meeting your specific x-ray flux needs. XRF Chemicals have developed internal standard fluxes which have been shown to give very high precision results for the analysis of nickel, iron ore and copper. In some instances, the use of internal standards can eliminate the need to carry out high temperature “loss of ignition” with significant cost and time benefits.
Additives
XRF Scientific uses state of the art mixing and multi stage splitting equipment to integrate non wetting agents, oxidizers or both into our x-ray fluxes.
- Lithium nitrate oxidising agent 1 - 4%
- Sodium nitrate oxidising agent 5 - 20%
- Lithium bromide release agent 0.1 - 0.5%
- Lithium iodide release agent 0.1 - 0.5%
