Trace Chromium/Molybdenum/Copper Detection for FAC Screening

Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) inspection programs depend heavily on accurate measurement of trace chromium in carbon steel piping. The Niton XL5 Plus is purpose-built for low-level Cr, Cu, and Mo detection, making it one of the most trusted handheld XRF analyzers for FAC screening in fossil and nuclear power generation.

Whether you’re performing routine FAC work or validating piping metallurgy the Niton XL5 Plus delivers instant, repeatable, defensible chemistry data directly on the pipe—without cutting samples or interrupting operations.

Why the Niton XL5 Plus Is FAC-Ready

FAC susceptibility is strongly correlated with very low chromium content in carbon steel. Small differences—often below 0.1% Cr—can materially change corrosion rate and inspection priority. The Niton XL5 Plus is optimized for:

• Best on market trace-level chromium detection
• Stable, repeatable measurements in carbon steels
• Reliable results in real-world plant environments

This makes it especially well-suited for FAC programs that require confidence at the low end of chromium concentration, not just alloy identification.

FAC Inspection Applications

The XL5 Plus is commonly used for:

• FAC walkdowns in power plants
• Carbon steel piping screening
• Elbows, tees, reducers, and high-turbulence zones
• Feedwater and condensate systems
• Verification of material upgrades and replacements
• Supporting inputs for FAC modeling and inspection planning

Handheld XRF is not a replacement for thickness measurement—but it is a critical upstream screening tool that helps inspection teams focus effort where it matters most.

Key Elements for FAC Screening

The Niton XL5 Plus is used to evaluate:

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

Chromium measurement is the cornerstone of FAC material screening, and the XL5 Plus is engineered to deliver consistent results at these low concentrations.

How-to: FAC-Optimized Measurements

1. Identify FAC-Prone Locations
   Focus on elbows, reducers, tees, and areas of known turbulence.
2. Prepare the Surface
   Remove oxide scale, paint, oil, and contamination. Proper surface prep is essential for trace-level chromium accuracy.
3. Perform XRF Analysis
   Short test times can identify low-Cr materials; longer tests improve confidence for borderline results.
4. Log and Analyze Data
   Capture chemistry alongside location and line ID to support inspection prioritization and lifecycle planning.

Why Inspection Teams Choose the Niton XL5 Plus for FAC

• Trace-Element Sensitivity
  Designed to reliably detect very low concentrations of chromium in carbon steel.
• Repeatability You Can Trust
  Excellent measurement stability supports trending and defensible inspection decisions.
• Built for Power Plant Environments
  Rugged housing, ergonomic design, and fast analysis for in-service inspections.
• FAC-Focused Performance, Not Just Alloy ID
  While fully capable of PMI and alloy sorting, the XL5 Plus excels where FAC programs need it most: low-Cr carbon steel screening.

Typical FAC Program Use Cases

• Screening legacy carbon steel lines
• Verifying upgraded Cr-bearing materials
• Prioritizing ultrasonic thickness inspections
• Supporting outage planning
• Reducing unplanned FAC-related failures

What This Analyzer Is (and Is Not)

The Niton XL5 Plus is:
✔ A fast, non-destructive tool for material chemistry screening
✔ Ideal for identifying FAC-susceptible low-Cr steels
✔ A front-end decision tool for inspection planning

The Niton XL5 Plus is NOT:
✖ A replacement for ultrasonic thickness measurement
✖ A corrosion-rate predictor by itself

FAC is multi-factor—but material chemistry is foundational, and that’s where the XL5 Plus fits.

Included with Purchase

• Thermo Scientific Niton XL5 Plus handheld XRF analyzer
• Factory calibration and software
• x2 Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries
• Battery Charger & AC Power Supply
• Ruggedized Carrying case
• Alloy Geek Instrument Training
• Grinder for Preparing Surfaces
• 2 Certified Reference Materials based on your end-use application

Is the Niton XL5 Plus Right for Your FAC Program?

If your FAC program requires:

• Confidence in very low chromium measurements
• Repeatable data and easy data logging
• A proven handheld platform used across power generation

Then the Niton XL5 Plus is one of the strongest FAC-ready handheld XRF options available.

Technical Specifications