XRF Lab

Contact: Tyrone O. Rooney
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
288 Farm Lane, Room 207
East Lansing, MI 48824-1115

Phone: (517) 432-5522
Fax: (517) 353-8787

Sample Preparation
Analytical Fees

The XRF laboratory at Michigan State University installed a Bruker S4 PIONEER – a 4 kW wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (WDXRF). It is dedicated primarily to serve the geosciences, but can be used for diverse applications (forensic science, archeology, industrial compounds, etc.). The S4 PIONEER with advanced 4 kW tube provides highest sensitivity especially for light elements and trace elements due to optimized beam geometry and very thin Beryllium XRF tube window used in combination with software optimized excitation parameters for each element analyzed.

Data reduction is performed with Bruker's SPECTRAplus software using fundamental parameters.

Sample Preparation

Fused Disks

The dissolution of a portion of the sample by a flux and fusion into a homogeneous glass entirely eliminates particle size and mineralogical effects. The fusion technique also has additional advantages:
•    high specimen dilution for the purpose of decreasing matrix effects
•    ease of preparing standards of desired composition
The fusion procedure consists of heating a mixture of 4 grams of sample and 9 grams of lithium tetraborate flux at high temperatures (800 to 1200°C) so that the flux melts and the sample dissolves. The overall composition and cooling conditions is such that the end product after cooling is a one-phase glass.
Heating of the sample-flux mixture is done in platinum alloy crucibles, and then poured into a Pt mold.

Typical XRF Performance

Variable	N	Mean	Median	StDev	SE**	Given*
SiO2	5	52.054	52.16	0.273	0.122	52.41
TiO2	5	1.282	1.28	0.0045	0.002	1.32
Al2O3	5	14.504	14.5	0.036	0.016	14.53
Fe2O3	5	8.998	9	0.0045	0.002	9.05
MnO	5	0.14	0.14	0	0	0.15
MgO	5	7.824	7.81	0.0688	0.0308	7.83
CaO	5	9.288	9.29	0.0084	0.0037	9.31
Na2O	5	2.714	2.71	0.023	0.0103	2.73
K2O	5	1.382	1.38	0.0045	0.002	1.4
P2O5	5	0.268	0.27	0.00447	0.002	0.26
totals	5	98.454	98.49	0.171	0.076	98.99

_{*Accepted values for JB-1a standard reference material, Nimai et al. (1995) Geostandards Newsletter, 19, 135-213}

_{** Standard error = standard deviation divided by the square root of the number of samples}

Analytical Fees

The joint X-ray Fluorescence and ICP-MS Laboratories at MSU offer a variety of analytical services, including elemental packages for rock and soil samples (Option 1 below).

The following schedule shows estimated fees. Additional discounts may be given for large numbers of samples or in-house sample preparation. Fees are subject to change at any time. Prices reflect a normal turn-around time of about one (1) month. Rush orders may require additional charges. Please consult Tyrone Rooney before officially quoting any prices.

Geological (rock and soil) Samples

Sample Preparation: All samples are analyzed as glass disks, prepared by fusion of finely-ground rock powders with lithium tetraborate. Samples may be submitted as powders or in bulk. Submit a minimum of 8 grams powder or 30 grams whole rock. Sample preparation fees for any type of elemental analysis are as follows:

Sample preparaton fees by type of sample.

Type of sample	Cost per sample
Trimming/powdering of bulk samples	$5
Li2B4O7 fusion (of powdered samples*)	$6.50

*Submitted sample powders should be fine enough so they are not “gritty” when rubbed between sheets of paper. Re-powdering of gritty samples will require an additional charge.

Major and trace element packages (per sample).

Element Detection	Academic Research	Commercial
Major elements (XRF)	$40	$80
Major elements + 31 trace elements (XRF + LA-ICP-MS)*	$100	$200

*A minimum charge of $600.00 will apply for all geological analyses involving LA-ICP-MS. This cost reflects the minimum time to tune the instrument, run standards, and data processing. Please consult our ICP-MS laboratory webpage for further information.