Calibration Factors - Thermo Scientific NITON XL3t 500 User Manual

Calibration Factors

Calibration Factors
1-100 NITON XL3 Analyzer User's Guide
Although the FP software automatically corrects for most inter-element
matrix effects, NITON tube-based analyzers cannot currently detect
elements lighter than magnesium. As a result, the oxidation state of elements
can bias measurements of other elements. In many cases, this bias is small,
and uncorrected results provide sufficient accuracy, especially when data is
for screening purposes only. For cases when more accurate results are
required, NITON has provided slope/intercept calibration software with the
instrument to improve the quality of the data. The calibration software is
element specific, and calibration factors can be entered for individual
elements, independent of the other elements. A user may choose to correct a
single element or a suite of elements.
The degree of severity of the bias should be evaluated before proceeding
with routine measurement. A few test samples should be carefully measured
by another technique, or by an outside lab. These samples should then be
analyzed using the analyzer. If the agreement is good enough to provide the
accuracy required for the application, the instrument can be operated as
shipped. If it is determined that a bias correction is necessary, the procedure
for establishing calibration factors should be followed. As site characteristics
change, it is good practice to run a few check standards to ensure that the
instrument results are still within an acceptable error range.
Note With the exception of Mining Mode, Calibration Factors cannot be
changed at the User Log-in level. This must be done while logged in at
Supervisor level. See the NDT manual for details.
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