Product Selection Guide

At SciAps, we want you to have the best possible technology for your alloy testing. This is why we manufacture state-of-the-art laser and X-ray handheld analyzers. This guide shows many common alloy analysis applications, and which technology is better.

A few key points to remember

The SciAps Z analyzes all metal types, whereas the other laser units are focused on aluminum alloys.

The SciAps X and Z run on the same software platform, operating system (Android-based) and have the same UI. Any operator can easily use either technology. The X and Z use the same batteries and charger, so your accessories are always compatible with either technology!

With SciAps, you have options. If you have unexpectedly high demand for high temps, you can use the Z and the X for those crunch times. If you have a Z, and your X-ray gun of another brand breaks, you can still test your stainless and high-temps with the Z.

*A word about X-ray detectors

If detector replacement costs are driving you away from X-ray, at least take a good look at the SciAps X, which offers dual shield protection. First, there’s a high-speed steel shutter. When the analyzer isn’t analyzing, the detector is protected by an impenetrable shield. That means when you shove the analyzer into a barrel of turnings, the shutter remains closed, and the detector is protected from those sharp metal pieces. (The shutter is also closed when you’re replacing the polymer dirt barrier—the shutter protects the detector from stray finger pokes.) Second, the detector is also protected by a carbon fiber mesh, to prevent stray metal pieces from breaking the detector window.


			Fast (1-2 sec), precise sorting of many common aluminum alloys that differ mainly by magnesium content. Examples include 1100/6061/6063, 3003/3005/3105, 2014/2024, cast 356/357.
			Fast (2-3 sec) precise sorting of cast aluminum alloys, also without grinding to avoid silicon smearing. Example includes 319/356/380.
			Required to analyze for new elements in aluminum alloys including lithium, beryllium and boron.
			Faster sorting/analysis of aluminum and silicon bronzes due to fast Al, Si measurements from Laser.
			You are required to measure beryllium (Be) in copper alloys.
			You want to eliminate X-ray radiation devices to reduce regulatory burdens, eliminate the state inspections and radiation badges.
			* Detector replacement costs have been a big problem for you, and you want to really cut repair/maintenance costs on your handheld analyzers.
			You want to measure the Al, Si, B, Li, Be or Mg content in stainless, high temp or specialty alloys, or Al, Si and Mg with improved speed and accuracy in these alloys.
			You are primarily sorting high temp alloys and/or stainless. This is the strength of X-ray.
			You handle a lot of turnings, or mixed turnings, that are primarily stainless or high temp alloys. Here high temps refer to nickel, cobalt, titanium and nickel/cobalt super-alloys.
			You are content with sorting aluminum alloys into mixed low coppers (MLC’s), and high copper or high copper/zinc (2000’s, 7000’s), and you want the best possible speed/precision for high temps and stainless.
			Like the above application, you are content with slower tests (15 s) on aluminum and silicon bronzes/brasses, and you want the best possible speed/precision on high temps and stainless.
			You process a lot of specialty alloys like molybdenum, tungsten based alloys, and speed & precision is essential for these.

This page was updated on September 1st, 2020