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To create a discrete XRF sample, assemble the following components (Figure 15) as shown in Figure 1516, below:
- Powdered & dried sample
- Scoopula
- XRF sample cups (32 mm Double Open Ended)
- SPEX Ultralene® thin film (0.16 mil; 4 µm thick)
- Whatman Filter Paper Circles (32mm) or Parafilm M® film
- Foam plug
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Figure 15. Mortar and pestle along with scoopula. XRF Sample Cup components denoted with red arrows A. Open-end Ring B. Cup C. Cap D. Ultralene® film box E. Whatman Filter Paper F. Foam plug inserts
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1. A XRF Sample cup has three components: cup, ring, and cap. Take a piece of Ultralene® film and stretch it over one end of the cup. Place the open ring over the film and cup and snap it firmly onto the cup. This will create a tight window on one end of the sample cup (Figure
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16). Ultralene® is very thin and prone to ripping. Check for rips before and after sample powder is added.
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Figure 15. Ultralene® covering of one side of cup
2. Flip this unit upside down and begin to load the sample into the cup. Remember that the discrete sample will be back loaded. A couple of centimeters of sample is sufficient. The sample layer cannot be too thin, or X-ray penetration (and the results) will be inconsistent. Make sure the powder is evenly dispersed, maintaining a relatively flat, even surface.
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Your finished product should look like the cup in Figure 16.
Figure 16. Properly filled XRF cup; note : Sample preparation steps for discrete XRF sample. Note the slight bulge of the powdersample when correctly filled.
Put a sample label onto the cup. Remove excess Ultralene® to help the label stick. The discrete sample is now ready for analysis.
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