Fast Light-Element Analysis. Advanced Alloy Sorting.

The Thermo Scientific Niton XL2 980 Plus is a high-performance handheld XRF analyzer designed for industrial alloy identification, positive material identification (PMI), and scrap metal sorting. Its light-element capability allows operators to directly measure magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur—providing faster and more reliable identification of aluminum, magnesium, and other lightweight alloys.

Renting the XL2 980 Plus gives your operation immediate access to professional-grade elemental analysis without the capital expense of purchasing an analyzer. It is an excellent choice for short-term sorting projects, plant shutdowns, audits, incoming-material inspections, temporary capacity increases, and applications requiring more advanced alloy separation than a standard handheld XRF can provide.

Why Rent the Niton XL2 980 Plus?

The Niton XL2 980 Plus combines the proven durability of the XL2 platform with an advanced silicon drift detector and light-element analysis. It delivers fast, repeatable elemental chemistry and alloy-grade identification across a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Unlike analyzers that identify alloys primarily through heavier trace elements, the XL2 980 Plus directly measures the light elements that define many aluminum and magnesium grades. This makes it especially valuable when separating closely related lightweight alloys in scrap recycling, manufacturing, fabrication, and quality-control applications.

Fast Aluminum Alloy Sorting

Direct measurement of magnesium, aluminum, and silicon helps the XL2 980 Plus distinguish common aluminum alloy families and grades, including common alloys such as:

• 2024
• 3003 vs 3004 vs 3005
• 5052
• 5083
• 6061 vs 6063 vs 1100
  
• 7075 vs 7050

This expanded analytical capability supports faster, more confident sorting than an analyzer without direct light-element measurement. Identification performance depends on the material, surface condition, testing time, calibration, and similarity between individual grades.

Metals and Alloys You Can Identify

The Niton XL2 980 Plus is designed for broad industrial metals analysis, including:

• Aluminum alloys
• Magnesium alloys
• Stainless steels (including the 303 vs 304 sort)
• Low-alloy and alloy steels
• Nickel-based alloys, including Inconel®, Monel®, and Hastelloy®-type families
• Copper alloys, including brass, bronze, and copper-nickel
• Titanium alloys
• Cobalt alloys
• Tool steels
• Mixed ferrous and non-ferrous scrap

Common Applications

Scrap Metal Sorting and Recycling

• Fine sorting of aluminum alloy grades
• Separating aluminum and magnesium alloys
• Sorting stainless steel and nickel-alloy families
• Grading copper, titanium, cobalt, and other valuable alloys
• Reducing contamination and incorrect material classification
• Improving recovery value from mixed industrial scrap

Positive Material Identification

• Verifying piping, valves, fittings, and fabricated components
• Confirming materials during maintenance and shutdown projects
• Checking replacement parts before installation
• Supporting plant-wide and field PMI programs

Manufacturing and Quality Control

• Inspecting incoming raw materials
• Verifying alloy chemistry before production
• Checking finished parts and components
• Preventing material mix-ups and costly rework
• Supporting material traceability programs

Fabrication and Welding

• Confirming base materials before fabrication
• Verifying weld and filler materials when detectable chemistry permits
• Checking materials before machining or welding
• Supporting field inspections and project audits

Key Technical Capabilities

• Light-element analysis from magnesium through uranium
• Direct measurement of Mg, Al, Si, P, and S
• Geometrically optimized silicon drift detector
• 45 kV silver-anode X-ray tube
• Integrated camera for positioning the measurement area
• Color touchscreen with straightforward point-and-shoot operation
• Non-destructive elemental analysis
• Internal storage for readings and spectra
• Rugged IP54-rated construction for industrial environments
• Approximate analyzer weight of 3.4 pounds with battery

Simple, Cost-Effective Rental Pricing

Niton XL2 980 Plus Weekly Rental

$1,295 per week—as low as $185 per day

Niton XL2 980 Plus Monthly Rental

$3,995 per month—as low as $133.17 per day

Niton XL2 980 Plus Three-Month Rental

$9,995 for three months—as low as $111.06 per day

Ideal for short-term sorting projects, plant shutdowns, PMI programs, audits, training, and situations where advanced alloy-identification capacity is needed quickly.

What’s Included with Your Rental

• Thermo Scientific Niton XL2 980 Plus handheld XRF analyzer
• Batteries (2)
• Battery Charger and Power Cord
• Rugged transport case
• Standard factory General Metals calibration
• Virtual installation training from Alloy Geek
• Technical support throughout the rental period
• Ready-to-use configuration for industrial alloy applications

Need Help Choosing the Right Rental?

The Niton XL2 980 Plus is an excellent choice when your project requires direct light-element measurement, fine aluminum-alloy sorting, magnesium-alloy identification, or advanced separation of industrial metals.

If your application involves basic alloy identification without light-element analysis—or requires a different calibration, detection limit, or analyzer configuration—Alloy Geek can help match the right rental analyzer to your materials, project requirements, and budget.

Contact Alloy Geek today to reserve your rental or discuss your application.