Niton LLC, Billerica, Mass., has announced the release of the portable XLt Plastics Analyzer. The X-ray tube-based XLt Plastics Analyzer is being billed as the first hand-held XRF (X-ray fluorescence) instrument for the plastics industry.
The company says it has developed a proprietary calibration algorithm to effectively and accurately cover a wide range of plastic samples used in manufacturing, while eliminating the need for user interaction or calibrations.
Niton says it conducted more than two years of development work after forging with strategic partnerships within the plastics industry.
Surpassing both traditional empirical and Compton Normalization algorithms, the new XLt device uses what the company calls a “specialized Fundamental Parameters algorithm - a versatile method that automatically compensates for extreme matrix interferences, and offers the utmost in accuracy.”
The portable XLt can also be used anywhere it is needed, according to Niton, including on the assembly line, in the warehouse, on the back of a truck, or on supplier trips around the globe.
“In keeping with Niton tradition, it is easy to use, while automatically encrypting storing and locking all analysis results against unauthorized editing for the ultimate in data security,” a company news release states.
The company says the XLt has also been engineered to be environmentally sealed and rugged, so it can withstand rain, dust and other harsh industrial and field conditions
The device comes calibrated for the quantification of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), mercury (Hg), bromine (Br) and other potentially toxic metals. Additionally, chlorine (Cl) analysis is available for the sorting of PVC materials in recycling and waste streams.
Niton has already been responding to significant demand for the XLt as a result of the new European Union (EU) directives restricting toxic metal concentrations in plastics materials. EU Directive 94/62/EC has set 0.0100% (100ppm) as the highest allowable sum concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in consumer packaging materials.
EU customs inspectors are reportedly already scrutinizing consumer goods to ensure compliance among manufacturers importing into the EU. Savvy recyclers are also implementing new processes to sort plastics containing toxic metals to keep them away from re-entry into the manufacturing stream, according to Niton.
More information on Niton’s XLt Plastics Analyzer can be found at www.niton.com or from a Niton sales representative at sales@niton.com.