AGR expands glass analysis capabilities at Delft research facility

A new Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with enhanced, rapid-scan EDS software was recently commissioned at the Delft, Netherlands laboratory of American Glass Research (AGR).

The American Glass Research laboratory in the Netherlands is now home to a new, top-of-class Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The AGR’s Delft laboratory installed a JEOL IT-510LA scanning electron microscope. This new device goes far beyond the capability of the early microscopes and will allow the Delft lab to provide its European customers with the highest level of analysis and digital data acquisition.

The JEOL IT-510LA represents the first SEM of this model to be installed anywhere in the Netherlands and boasts a magnification capability of up to 300,000X. Equipped with a JEOL Energy Diffractive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX), the SEM will enable the scientists in the Delft lab to perform chemical compositional analysis of glass surfaces/substrates along with point analysis of materials or residues embedded on or within the glass. Enhanced software incorporated in this system harnesses the EDX for constant scanning of the glass surface over the entire field of view. The capability makes it possible to immediately highlight the presence of any foreign materials, facilitating quick and accurate identification.

In addition, the system incorporates a large-sized SEM chamber that allows samples up to 200 mm long and 80 mm wide to be analyzed as well as low vacuum mode which circumvents the need to apply carbon or metal coating. These features permit analysis of samples with minimal alteration, which is an advantage for consumer complaints or product liability cases.

The many advanced features and functions of the new SEM will greatly compliment and expand the capabilities of the Delft lab beyond the routine uses of SEM-EDX for stone identification, fracture diagnosis, and compositional analysis.

American Glass Research, a leader in consulting, training and analytical services for the glass packaging industry since 1927, operates laboratories located in Butler, PA and Maumee, OH in the USA and Delft, the Netherlands. American Glass Research is a division of AGR International Inc.