You can use an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to study materials; this is a non-destructive elemental analysis. First, you need to prepare the sample well. The operational principles of this system are based on. Whilst handheld XRF can be used by non-experts, with pre-programmed settings allowing positive materials identification, the detection of impurities in production materials or the screening of food for toxic heavy metals (and more), you may still be curious about what is happening behind the scenes. XRF is an analytical technique used by many industries, notably the mining, metals, steel, and manufacturing sectors, for non-destructive online analysis and measurement of the elemental composition of materials.