Evident LogoOlympus Logo
Documentation
Notes d’application
Retour aux ressources

Quick, Non-Destructive Screening for Defective Chinese Drywall


drywall_xrf_testingReports of safety issues and property loss from the use of imported Chinese drywall have proliferated the news. Liability is being argued in the courtrooms while owners of property constructed and repaired with these material are dealing with its consequences. Corrosion of metal piping and electrical work, foul odors, blackening of walls, and other serious problems are among the issues. Drywall is manufactured from gypsum (calcium sulfate); and, while it is still not absolutely certain, current research indicates that the problems arise from the release of certain sulfide gases. It is believed that elevated levels of Strontium (Sr) are indicative of the defective, imported drywall from China. An inter-agency task force is developing standard federal testing protocol to identify defective Chinese Drywall.1

Handheld XRF's are used to test drywall quickly and easily without moving or destroying it. Drywall Detectors, LLC2 use Handheld XRF to compare levels of Strontium (Sr) and Sulfur (S) in domestic and imported drywall. They reported results for domestic (gray) drywall at levels less than 1,000 ppm for Strontium and at levels less than 1% for Sulfur; while defective Chinese drywall (blue) had elevated levels of Strontium at levels greater than 2,000 ppm and Sulfur with levels at or greater than 2%. Our Handheld XRF can measure up to 25 elements in a single test, including Sr, S, Fe, Ag, Cu and more.


drywall_strontium_sulphur_chart

XRF Testing of Drywall is Simple, Fast and Non-Destructive

Drywall Detectors tested intact drywall, defined as drywall that has undisturbed paper, intact on both sides. Essentially, it is tested as it was manufactured. For accuracy, they recommend testing a one square inch patch clear of paint and/or wallpaper. In most cases vent covers, outlets, attics and other unfinished areas provide testable drywall paper; however, in cases where they are not, the patch can be cleaned by scrapping, sanding or wire brushing.

drywall_xrf_diagram_smaller

1. Executive Summary, November 2009
2. www.drywalldetectors.com, Baltimore MD

Olympus IMS

Produits utilisés pour cette application
L’analyseur XRF à main DELTA pour l’analyse environnementale permet de contrôler en quelques secondes les niveaux dangereusement élevés de déchets soumis au Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), de polluants prioritaires et de métaux nocifs. L’analyseur XRF à main est utilisé pour l’inspection des sols et des sédiments conformément à l’EPA 6200 et à d’autres procédures opérationnelles normalisées, des filtres conformément aux méthodes NIOSH ou OSHA, ainsi que pour détecter le Pb, le Cd, le Cr, l’As, le Hg sur les surfaces et les lingettes.
Muni d’un tube à rayons X optimisé de 4 W et d’un détecteur SDD (Silicon Drift Detector), le DELTA Professionnal offre un rendement inégalé en termes de vitesse, de limites de détection ou de gamme d’éléments. Il permet l’analyse du Mg et des éléments suivants dans les alliages et le minerai. Le DELTA Professionnal constitue la solution par excellence d’Olympus en matière d’appareil à main pour l’analyse XRF.
Sorry, this page is not available in your country
Let us know what you're looking for by filling out the form below.
Sorry, this page is not available in your country