Trace Chromium/Molybdenum/Copper Screening with Portable XRF

Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) inspection programs require confidence in very low chromium content when evaluating carbon steel piping. The SciAps X-550 delivers strong trace-level performance and fast, on-pipe chemistry results — making it an excellent choice for FAC screening and inspection prioritization.

The X-550 is a next-generation handheld XRF designed for professionals performing FAC work, material verification, and inspection program optimization in fossil, combined-cycle, and nuclear power plants.

For critical FAC applications, many teams rely on new handheld XRF analyzers to ensure accuracy, compliance, and repeatability.

Why the SciAps X-550 Is FAC-Ready

FAC susceptibility correlates strongly with low levels of chromium in carbon steel. Even fractional increases in chromium can significantly reduce FAC rate, so reliable trace measurement is a core requirement for inspection planning and risk modeling. The SciAps X-550 is engineered to:

• Provide accurate, repeatable trace chromium measurements
• Support screening decisions without needing slow lab analysis
• Instant results in field conditions

This makes it ideal for FAC programs that depend on defensible material chemistry data to focus inspection effort where it matters.

How the X-550 Supports FAC Inspection Work/Jobs

The X-550 is commonly used for:

• FAC walkdowns and piping condition assessments
• Screening carbon steel piping based on trace Cr levels
• Evaluating elbows, tees, reducers, and other FAC-prone components
• Verifying material upgrades or replacements
• Supporting inspection prioritization and lifecycle planning

While handheld XRF isn’t a standalone thickness measurement tool, it is a critical screening solution that helps inspection teams pre-qualify materials and feed better data into FAC modeling and inspection strategies.

Elements Commonly Evaluated in FAC

Handheld XRF with the X-550 is used to measure:

• Chromium (Cr) – primary FAC susceptibility indicator
• Copper (Cu) – secondary indicator
• Molybdenum (Mo) – secondary indicator

Chromium measurement is the primary focus for FAC screening and risk prioritization.

Field Workflow for FAC with SciAps X-550

• Select Testing Locations
  Concentrate on elbows, bends, high-turbulence zones, and reductions.
• Prep the Surface
  Remove oxidation, coatings, oil, and contamination to ensure trace-level accuracy.
• Perform XRF Screening
  Use short test times for quick screening and longer exposures for borderline or critical evaluations.
• Log Your Data
  Capture chemistry data alongside line ID and location to support inspection prioritization.

Why Inspection Teams Choose SciAps X-550 for FAC

Trace performance: Designed for reliable low-Cr results in carbon steels.
Field durability: Rugged handheld build for inspections in industrial environments.
Easy workflows: Fast setup and intuitive touchscreen interface streamline FAC screening.
Defensible data: Repeatable results that support trending and inspection decisions.

The X-550 shines when FAC programs need more than basic alloy ID — they need high-confidence trace chromium data that can stand up to inspection planning and lifecycle analysis.

Typical FAC Use Cases

• Screening legacy and installed carbon steel lines
• Verifying material upgrades before and after outages
• Prioritizing ultrasonic thickness inspections
• Supporting outage planning and inspection scope decisions
• Reducing unplanned FAC-related failures

What This Analyzer Is (and Isn’t)

The X550 is:
✔ A fast, non-destructive trace chemistry screening tool
✔ Ideal for identifying FAC-susceptible low-Cr steels
✔ A front-end inspection planning resource

The X550 is not:
✖ A replacement for ultrasonic thickness measurement
✖ A corrosion-rate predictor on its own

FAC rate depends on multiple variables — but material composition is foundational, and the SciAps X-550 excels at delivering chemistry data for that foundation.

Included with Purchase

• SciAps X-550 handheld XRF analyzer
• Factory calibration and software
• x2 Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries
• Battery Charger and AC Power Supply
• Rugged carrying case
• Alloy Geek training and support
• Grinder for sample preparation
• x2 Certified Reference Materials for sample check

X550 Technical Specifications

Downloads:

• SciAps X550 Brochure
• SciAps X550 Limits of Detection (LODs)
• SciAps X550 Manual

To Request a Quote:

• Request a Quote Online
• Call us at 919-400-1216
• Email us at [email protected]