The Bruker TRACER 5 is a handheld XRF instrument built for analytical users who need control over their measurement conditions rather than a fixed “point-and-shoot” workflow. Tube settings, atmosphere, filtering and spot size can all be adjusted, allowing researchers to optimise data quality for challenging materials — especially those containing light elements.

The graphene-window SDD improves transmission in the low-keV range, making the system suitable for materials such as pigments, ceramics, soils, minerals and corrosion layers, where conventional handheld XRF often struggles. EasyCal allows users to create empirical calibrations tailored to their sample matrices, ensuring reproducible quantification for non-standard materials.

This configuration makes the TRACER 5 well-suited to conservation labs, university research groups, geology field teams and analytical facilities that require portable XRF with method flexibility rather than predefined factory calibrations.

Applications

1. Cultural Heritage & Archaeometry Analysis

Used for elemental characterisation of pigments, metal alloys, glasses, glazes, ceramics and multi-layered artefacts. Suitable for museum conservation and in-field archaeological work where sampling is not permitted.

2. Geochemistry & Geological Fieldwork

Determines the composition of rock powders, outcrops and mineralised samples, including light elements. Used for lithological logging, ore screening and research-based mineral mapping.

3. Environmental & Soil Testing

Screens soils and sediments for metals and contaminants in environmental monitoring programmes. Adjustable excitation enables improved performance on light elements often relevant to environmental investigations.

4. Materials Science & Academic Teaching

Supports research on polymers, coatings, glasses, ceramics and engineered materials where users need control over excitation conditions. Frequently used in university teaching for demonstrating XRF principles and calibration methods.

5. Industrial Materials & Powders

Non-destructive elemental analysis of powders, sintered materials and intermediate products where rapid screening is required without a fixed calibration model.

Labquip NDT Support

• Labquip NDT supplies and supports the TRACER 5 across the UK.
• We help researchers choose the correct configuration for their sample types (geochemical kits, conservation setups, helium/vacuum options).
• Demonstrations can be arranged on request anywhere in the UK on your premises and on your samples.
• We provide operator training, calibration guidance and ongoing service to keep the instrument stable in day-to-day use.