What can cause variations in XRF results?

Variations in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) results can indeed be caused by several factors, including temperature changes, sample contamination, and substrate composition.

Temperature changes can affect the performance of the XRF equipment and the characteristics of the material being analyzed. For instance, fluctuations in temperature can influence the emitted X-rays and the response of the detector, leading to varying readings.

Sample contamination is another critical factor. If the surface of the sample contains foreign materials, such as dust, paint, or other contaminants, this can interfere with the analysis and skew the results. Contaminated surfaces may emit different elemental signals than the intended target, resulting in inaccurate conclusions about the lead content.

Substrate composition also plays a significant role in XRF analysis. Different materials (such as wood, metal, or plastic) can absorb X-rays differently and affect the readings. The underlying substrate may alter the signal detected, leading to variations in the reported concentration of lead or other elements.

Since each of these factors – temperature changes, sample contamination, and substrate composition – can individually contribute to variations in XRF results, it is accurate to conclude that they all can influence the outcomes of XRF testing.