Introducing
Twotheta XRF/XRD
Services
Specialized Consulting
Twotheta XRF/XRD Services
Discover Our Expertise
Advanced XRF and XRD support
TWOTHETA offers application assistance for XRF analysis, specializing in the calibration and support of WD and ED XRF systems. TWOTHETA has extensive experience in the operation and calibration of XRF systems from various manufacturers - PANalytical, Bruker, Rigaku, Thermo Fisher, Spectro.
Experience cannot be learned
With years of experience, our staff has the capabilities and expertise to take your business to the next level. At Twotheta XRF/XRD Services, we combine our insights and skills to transform your processes and strategies, and in turn, your laboratory.
Our clients include mining companies, research institutions and universities in Australia and overseas.
Application areas
Mining industry
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Iron ore
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Bauxite
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Mineral sands with REE
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Limestone
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Base metals (sulphides)
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Copper mining
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Nickel laterite
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Nickel sulphide
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Uranium
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Silica sand
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Tin ore mining
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Tungsten mines
Processing and production control
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Alumina refineries
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Aluminium smelters
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Cement plants
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Copper smelter
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Ferro-alloys
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Steel production
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Silicon metal production
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Hot briquetted iron
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Minerals
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Petroleum refineries
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Manganese alloy smelter
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Nickel refineries
Research and Universities
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ANSTO
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CSIRO
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Comalco/Rio Tinto Research
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University of NSW
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Sydney University
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University of Tasmania
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Australian National Univ.
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Geoscience Australia
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Geological Survey of India - Kolkata, Shillong, Hyderabad
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University of Peshawar
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Geological Survey of Pakistan - Islamabad
Adding XRD services
Latest addition to TT services is training in qualitative and quantitative XRD analysis (powder diffraction) - reduction of texture effects like preferred orientation by micronising and reproducible pressing with a specialised XRD press. Optimised micronising can be used to achieve fast and reliable sample preparation for a high number of samples.
Customer training
On-site and online training in XRF theory and hands-on training in the use of XRF software is also available.
We offer a basic training for operators and an advanced course for chemists/analysts to a level where they can calibrate an XRF independently.
Iron ore analysis with Tb internal standard
Keith Norrish and his team at CSIRO have pioneered this method using a flux with 11% Tb2O3 and 20% SiO2. The Tb ratio is used as matrix correction for Fe but it's biggest advantage is the correction for bead curvature and other sample preparation defects.
TWOTHETA in cooperation with XRF Scientific have set up and tested calibrations with a 1.5% Tb2O3 flux and no SiO2 at different labs. This allows preparing only one fused bead per sample and using it for the analysis of all compounds. CSIRO is interested in this alternative approach and will develop this method into an international standard within the ISO committee.
Other internal standard methods
Although using Terbium (for Fe analysis) was the first conceived method using an internal standard, other methods were faster being implemented and used in practice. Nickel analysis using Thulium as the internal standard (at only 1 % in the flux) is currently being used in two company laboratories in Australia and one overseas site.
Another base metal - Copper - can be analysed more accurately and with higher precision using Tantalum (1 %) as the internal standard in the flux. This method has been successfully implemented in two laboratories in Australia and is currently being set up in a lab overseas. Another major Cu production plant is also interested and will conduct trials to test the method.
Background
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Degree in Mineralogy from Wuerzburg University, Germany
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Six years research and teaching - Materials Science Department (Glass & Ceramics) at Erlangen University, Germany
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Working at the Microstructural Analysis Unit at UTS – XRF analysis
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Lecturer in Petrology and Geochemistry at UTS
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Three years as the Application Specialist with Philips Analytical
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25 years consulting in XRF analysis with TWOTHETA Pty Ltd
Help with sample preparation issues
As sample preparation forms an integral part of the XRF analysis we offer guidance with the set-up of sample preparation equipment and techniques including fusions of any type of material (iron ore, bauxite, cement, mineral sands, base metal ores/sulphides, ferro-alloys and many more) used in mining, process control etc.
Images are examples of problems with fusions - recrystallisation, cracking, incomplete dissolution of sample material or wrong cooling methods.