The Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL2 980 Plus is one of the most trusted handheld XRF analyzers in the scrap metal recycling and PMI industry. Built around Thermo Fisher’s advanced GOLDD technology, the XL2 980 Plus delivers fast, reliable alloy identification while adding light element capability for aluminum, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur analysis. This makes the XL2 980 Plus a powerful and budget-friendly upgrade over older generation handheld XRF analyzers that struggle with advanced alloy separation.

For scrapyards, metal recyclers, fabricators, foundries, machine shops, aerospace suppliers, and QA/QC teams, the Niton XL2 980 Plus provides premium handheld XRF performance at a more accessible price point in the pre-owned market.

Why Choose the Niton XL2 980 Plus?

The Niton XL2 980 Plus combines rugged industrial durability with advanced analytical performance. Designed for real-world alloy sorting and PMI work, the analyzer provides fast grade identification with point-and-shoot simplicity.

Key advantages include:

• Advanced GOLDD detector technology
• Light element analysis including Mg, Al, Si, P, and S
• Fast alloy identification in seconds
• Rugged IP-rated industrial design
• Budget-friendly alternative to newer flagship analyzers
• Excellent performance for aluminum and specialty alloy sorting
• Trusted throughout scrap recycling and manufacturing industries

The XL2 980 Plus can analyze elements from magnesium through uranium depending on application configuration.

Alloy Families the Niton XL2 980 Plus Can Identify

Stainless Steel Identification

The XL2 980 Plus excels at stainless steel sorting and PMI verification. The analyzer quickly identifies common and specialty stainless grades including:

• 304 / 304L
• 303
• 316 / 316L
• 321
• 347
• Duplex stainless steels
• 17-4PH
• 15-5PH
• 17-7PH
• High-temperature stainless alloys

The addition of sulfur and phosphorus analysis helps improve separation of difficult grades such as 303 vs 304 stainless steel.

Low Alloy Steel and Tool Steel Analysis

The Niton XL2 980 Plus is widely used for sorting and verification of:

• Chrome-moly steels
• Low alloy steels
• Tool steels
• High-speed steels
• Nickel-chrome steels
• Pressure vessel alloys
• P-series and T-series steels

The analyzer provides rapid chemistry verification for QA/QC, incoming inspection, and fabrication environments.

Nickel Base Alloy Identification

The XL2 980 Plus is highly effective for identifying nickel alloys commonly used in aerospace, petrochemical, and high-temperature applications including:

• Inconel® alloys
• Hastelloy® alloys
• Monel® alloys
• Nickel-chromium alloys
• Superalloys
• High-temperature corrosion-resistant materials

The analyzer can also measure aluminum content in many nickel-based alloys, improving grade differentiation in specialty materials.

Cobalt Base Alloy Analysis

For aerospace and high-performance applications, the XL2 980 Plus can identify cobalt-based alloys including:

• Stellite® grades
• Cobalt-chrome alloys
• Wear-resistant hardfacing alloys
• High-temperature cobalt materials

Aluminum Alloy Sorting

One of the biggest advantages of the XL2 980 Plus is its light element capability for aluminum alloy analysis. Unlike older XRF analyzers that struggle with aluminum sorting, the XL2 980 Plus can analyze magnesium, aluminum, and silicon to improve alloy separation.

Common aluminum grades include:

• 6061
• 6063
• 1100
• 5052
• 7075
• Cast aluminum alloys
• Extrusion alloys

The analyzer is especially valuable for separating difficult grades such as:

• 6061 vs 6063
• 6063 vs 1100
• Cast vs wrought aluminum alloys

This makes the XL2 980 Plus a strong choice for modern scrap recycling operations handling mixed aluminum streams.

Magnesium Alloy Identification

Because the XL2 980 Plus can detect magnesium directly, it offers improved sorting capability for magnesium alloys and magnesium-containing aluminum materials.

Titanium Alloy Analysis

The Niton XL2 980 Plus is commonly used for titanium alloy identification in aerospace and manufacturing applications.

The analyzer can identify:

• Commercially pure titanium
• Ti-6Al-4V
• Aerospace titanium grades
• Specialty titanium alloys

The ability to measure aluminum content in titanium alloys helps improve alloy verification and separation.

Copper Alloys, Brass, and Bronze

The XL2 980 Plus performs extremely well on copper-based materials including:

• Brass alloys
• Bronze alloys
• Silicon bronze
• Aluminum bronze
• Copper-nickel alloys
• High conductivity copper
• Specialty copper materials

The analyzer delivers rapid chemistry verification for recycling, foundries, and manufacturing operations.

Light Element Capability: The Major Advantage of the XL2 980 Plus

Why Light Elements Matter

Many handheld XRF analyzers can identify heavier elements like chromium, nickel, copper, and molybdenum. However, the Niton XL2 980 Plus stands out because it can also analyze key light elements including:

• Magnesium (Mg)
• Aluminum (Al)
• Silicon (Si)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Sulfur (S)

This dramatically improves alloy sorting capability for modern recycling and PMI applications.

Real-World Alloy Sorting Advantages

303 vs 304 Stainless Steel

Sulfur measurement helps distinguish free-machining 303 stainless from standard 304 stainless.

6061 vs 6063 Aluminum

Magnesium and silicon analysis improves separation between common extrusion and structural aluminum alloys.

6063 vs 1100 Aluminum

The analyzer helps distinguish nearly pure aluminum from architectural extrusion alloys.

17-7PH and Specialty Stainless Alloys

The XL2 980 Plus can measure aluminum content in precipitation-hardening stainless steels and specialty nickel alloys.

Titanium Alloy Verification

Aluminum content analysis improves titanium alloy identification and PMI verification.

For many recyclers and fabricators, these light element capabilities are the difference between basic sorting and premium alloy separation.

Built for Scrap Recycling and PMI

Ideal Industries

The Niton XL2 980 Plus is commonly used in:

• Scrap metal recycling
• Positive Material Identification (PMI)
• Aerospace manufacturing
• Oil & gas
• Fabrication and welding
• Foundries
• Machine shops
• Metal service centers
• Secondary metal processing
• Incoming material inspection

Rugged, Portable, and Easy to Use

The XL2 980 Plus was designed for harsh industrial environments. The analyzer features:

• Lightweight ergonomic handheld design
• Fast startup and analysis times
• Touchscreen interface
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Rugged industrial construction
• Moisture and dust resistance
• Proven reliability in scrapyards and production facilities

Thermo Fisher designed the XL2 platform specifically for industrial alloy analysis and scrap recycling environments.

Why Buy a Pre-Owned Niton XL2 980 Plus?

A pre-owned Niton XL2 980 Plus offers exceptional value for companies that want premium alloy sorting capability without paying flagship analyzer pricing.

Compared to many entry-level handheld XRF analyzers, the XL2 980 Plus delivers:

• Better aluminum alloy sorting
• Improved specialty alloy identification
• Faster analytical performance
• Better light element capability
• Strong resale value
• Proven industrial durability

For many recycling operations and PMI teams, the XL2 980 Plus hits the sweet spot between performance and budget.

Common Applications

• Scrap metal alloy sorting
• Aluminum alloy separation
• Stainless steel PMI
• Aerospace alloy verification
• Fabrication QA/QC
• Weld verification
• Incoming material inspection
• Foundry alloy verification
• Nickel alloy sorting
• Titanium alloy analysis
• Brass and bronze identification

Included With Most Pre-Owned Systems

Typical systems may include:

• Niton XL2 980 Plus analyzer
• Battery and charger
• Carrying case
• Calibration/check standard
• USB cable and software
  

Contact Alloy Geek for current availability and exact package configurations.

Alloy Geek Support

Alloy Geek helps customers source, deploy, and support handheld XRF analyzers for real-world alloy sorting applications. We work with scrap recyclers, manufacturers, fabricators, and inspection teams to help match the right analyzer to the job.

Note: This is a pre-owned unit in excellent condition. Images shown are for reference. Actual unit may vary slightly in cosmetic appearance but is fully functional and calibrated.

Documents

• Thermo Scientific Niton XL2 Plus Brochure
• Thermo Scientific Niton XL2 Plus Manual

To Request a Quote

• Request a Quote Online
• Call us at 919-400-1216
• Email us at [email protected]