RoHS Test Equipment: X-ray Fluorescence Technology

In recent years, one of the most popular applications of Xray Fluorescence technology is for the testing of electronic components and goods for compliance to RoHS regulations (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances).  While the recent recast of RoHS (aka RoHS2) did not change the elements of interest, it has expanded the industries and supply chains that are affected (now includes medical device manufacturers, control instruments, etc).

Throughout the supply chains of affected industries, testing must occur and compliance must be proven.  However, passing the responsibility of compliance down the supply chain will not protect your organization if non-compliant components appear - that is why in-house screening with XRF is commonly considered.

X-ray fluorescence is often preferred over other technologies for three main reasons:
     Fast and Accurate: 
     benchtop or portable XRF will allow an organization to quickly screen product for the hazardous substances of interest
     Lower Cost of Acquisition and Maintenance: 
     in addition to a lower initial investment, XRF technology does not have many additional expenses after set-up
     Anybody Can Use XRF : 
     after a brief training session, current personal of an organization can easily take measurements and develop reports

Eastern Applied Research is one of the few organizations that can offer both 
Handheld XRF and Desktop analyzers for RoHS related testing.
Xenemetrix XRF for RoHS Testing       Portable XRF for RoHS Testing

Handheld XRF from Oxford Instruments:  Benefits of portable testing equipment are (obvioulsy) the portability that they offer.  Screening for hazardous substances can be performed at incoming inspection locations, during processing, before shipping - or even at vendors facilities.  In addition to portability, handheld systems offer a lower cost of acquisition than many bench-top models and are now offering measurement speeds and reporting functions that are on par with many desktops.

Desktop XRF from Xenemetrix: While many Xray Fluorescence analyzers are developed specifically for RoHS testing, Eastern Applied Research offers an innovative system developed to provide greater value to an organizations quality control needs.  In addition to RoHS analysis, the new X-RoHS+SDD system will provide full qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements from F(9) through Fm(100).

With the appropriate x-ray fluorescence analyzer, affected organizations can:
     - Quantify total lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and bromine (Br)
     - Achieve in-house RoHS screening of plastics, polymer and mixed materials
     - Analyze coated leads for RoHS compliance
     - Perform composition analysis of solders (also important for counterfeit component detection)
     - Store results and develop reports to meet a specific interest

We realize that these regulations, and the appropriate testing solutions, are new to many organizations - please keep in mind that the Eastern Applied Research technical staff has been involved in RoHS testing since the early 2000's.  We have the knowledge base and experience to discuss your requirements and how XRF technology may fit into your organizations approach to RoHS compliance (and other quality control testing needs).

Request a conversation with Eastern Applied's technical staff about RoHS.