SciAps Premium X-550 XRF Analyzer

SciAps Premium X-550 XRF Analyzer – Ultra-Fast, Ultra-Versatile Premium XRF

The SciAps X-550 is a cutting-edge portable XRF analyser that sets a new standard for speed, sensitivity and versatility — delivering lab-grade performance in a rugged yet extremely compact handheld form. With its powerful X-ray tube, high-resolution detector, optimized geometry and dedicated application suites, X-550 is built to excel in alloy identification, scrap sorting, NDT/PMI, mining/geochemistry, environmental screening, precious-metal assay, and more.

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Key Features & Strengths

Industry-leading X-ray source & SDD detector

• X-ray tube: 5 W, up to 50 kV/200 µA; anode selectable depending on application — Rh for alloys, Au for precious metals, soils, catalysts, RoHS/environmental, mining.
• Detector: 25 mm² silicon-drift detector (SDD), ~135 eV energy resolution.
• 6-position filter wheel (in most configurations) to optimize beam for different sample types and element ranges.

These features combined — powerful tube + optimized geometry + high-resolution detector — enable X-550 to reliably detect a very wide range of elements, from light alloys up to heavy and precious metals, even in challenging matrices.

Exceptional speed & sensitivity — even for low-atomic-number elements

One of the standout strengths of X-550 is the speed with which it can analyse common alloys — many in 1 second or less, making it ideal for fast throughput in industrial or scrap operations.

Because the X-550 operates at roughly 3× the X-ray power (in “Beam 2” mode) compared to earlier models (e.g. X-505), its sensitivity for light elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, etc.) is significantly improved — allowing rapid detection even of low-concentration constituents.

This makes X-550 particularly well suited for applications such as:

• Sorting and identification of aluminium and light-metal alloys (even those that differ only by trace Mg or Si).
• Detection of contaminants or residuals (e.g. low-level P, S, tramp elements) in steels, non-ferrous alloys, or recycled scrap.
• Rapid screening of geological, soil, ore or environmental samples — including low-Z elements and trace metals.

Broad analytical range & application flexibility

Depending on the selected “app” or mode, X-550 can analyse a broad spectrum of elements — from light-alloy constituents up to heavy and precious metals, including many trace/contaminant elements. For example: alloy mode, precious-metal mode, mining/geo mode, environmental/soil mode, RoHS/compliance mode, custom/empirical calibrations.

This makes X-550 a “one-tool-fits-many” solution: suitable for scrap yards, metal fabrication and PMI, recycling plants, mining and geochemistry, environmental labs, regulatory compliance, and precious-metal assay. ([Kimet][1])

Portable, ergonomic, user-friendly design**

• Weight: ≈ 1.35 kg (with battery) — extremely light for a fully featured XRF.
• Compact physical dimensions: ideal for access to tight spaces, welds, complex geometries or on-site inspections.
• Runs on Android, with a 2.7″ color capacitive touchscreen, intuitive interface, and connectivity (USB, WiFi, Bluetooth), enabling real-time data export and reporting.
• Built for heavy-duty field or industrial use — capable of sustained performance even in demanding environments (scrap yards, foundries, mine sites).

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Typical Detection Performance & Use-Case Capabilities

Excellent for:

• Aluminium and light-metal alloy sorting / PMI — even among closely related grades (different only by small Mg or Si content).
• Stainless steels, tool steels, nickel/cobalt/titanium alloys, high-temperature alloys, mixed metal scrap — with accurate detection of key alloying and contaminant elements.
• Precious metal alloys, mixed-metal scrap, catalysts — including materials with Au, Pt, Pd, etc.
• Environmental, soil, sediment, ore and mining-related samples — including light elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Ca, K) and heavier trace/contaminant elements, making it suitable for geo-surveying, exploration, or environmental compliance.
• NDT and PMI inspections in the field — welds, hard-to-reach parts, structural checks — thanks to compact, ergonomic design and rapid measurement cycles.

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Strengths — When X-550 Is the Right Tool

• When you need a single, portable instrument capable of handling many types of samples and applications, from alloys to soil to precious metal scrap.
• When measurement speed is critical (e.g. high-throughput scrap sorting, rapid PMI checks, environmental screening).
• When detection of light elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, etc.) and trace contaminants matters — and you want better sensitivity than traditional handheld XRFs.
• When you need field-ready, ergonomic, user-friendly tool — easy to carry, operate and integrate with data workflow (reporting, logging, transfer).
• When you value versatility — the ability to switch between modes (alloy, mining, environmental, precious metals, compliance) depending on project requirements.

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Limitations & Considerations

• As with all XRF, results depend on sample preparation, homogeneity, surface quality — coatings, paint, corrosion, rough geometry can affect accuracy.
• For ultra-trace analysis (very low concentration levels of trace elements, contaminants, or light elements) — results may still be semi-quantitative unless proper calibration, standards, and sample prep are used.
• Although X-550 pushes performance for low-Z elements, some very light elements (e.g. B, Be, C, Li, Na, F) remain outside the effective detection range of standard portable XRF; such cases may still require complementary techniques (e.g. LIBS, ICP). Indeed, even on the manufacturer site, XRF is described as optimized for transition and heavy metals.
• For regulatory or compliance work requiring certified, lab-grade accuracy (e.g. soil heavy-metal limits, environmental thresholds, RoHS compliance), further lab-based analysis may still be advisable.

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Recommended Industries & Typical Applications

• Scrap metal sorting & recycling — light-metal (Al, Mg) alloy separation; non-ferrous and mixed scrap; contaminant/tramp-metal detection before melting or resale.
• Metal fabrication, PMI / NDT / QC inspections — stainless steels, high-temp alloys, welds, structural components, incoming material verification.
• Mining, geology & mineral exploration — ore and soil screening, grade control, geo-surveying, rapid field chemistry.
• Environmental & soil analysis — heavy-metal screening, contamination checks, sediment/soil inspections, compliance testing.
• Precious-metal recovery & assay — catalytic-converter scrap, mixed precious-metal alloys, recovery operations.
• Industrial & research labs, field labs — portable elemental analysis across diverse sample types; rapid turnaround and flexible calibration.

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Summary — Why SciAps X-550 Is a Premium Handheld XRF

The SciAps X-550 delivers an outstanding combination of power, speed, sensitivity, portability, and versatility. Its advanced X-ray tube, high-resolution SDD detector and optimized geometry enable it to analyze a broad range of elements — from light alloys to heavy metals and precious elements — with high speed and solid precision. For professionals needing a single, field-ready solution covering alloys, scrap, mining, environmental, precious-metals and compliance tasks, X-550 stands out as a top-tier, all-rounder device.