X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY IN PLASTICS RECYCLING

X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) is applied to the analysis of plastics encountered in the recycling of durable goods. XRF can detect Cl, Br, Sb, Ti and other elements that are found in plastics. XRF has several positive features such as relative ease of use, fast sample preparation and analysis, minimal re-calibration, a broad range of detectable elements and a broad concentration range for analysis. XRF is thus suited for real-world plastics recycling environments. Examples of qualitative and quantitative analysis illustrate a few applications of various XRF instruments in plastics recycling.