--- title: Metal Analysis Group Blog | Chris Carolan description: Welcome to the Metal Analysis Group Blog! --- # Chris Carolan 2 min read #### [Top 5 Reasons You Should Trade-In Your Handheld XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/top-5-reasons-you-should-trade-in-your-handheld-xrf) [Chris Carolan: ](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan) Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM Today I want to share the Top 5 Reasons you should trade-in your handheld XRF. 1. Avoid Costly Repairs and Lower the Cost of Ownership If you have ever had to pay for a repair to your handheld XRF, you know exactly what I am talking about. With... [Metals Manufacturing](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/metals-manufacturing) [Scrap Metal](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/scrap-metal) [LIBS](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/libs) [Trade-In](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/trade-in) [Inspection](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/inspection) [PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/pmi) [XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/xrf) [Aluminum](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/aluminum) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/top-5-reasons-you-should-trade-in-your-handheld-xrf) 9 min read #### [Which PMI Testing Technique Should You Use? LIBS vs. OES vs. XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/which-pmi-testing-technique-libs-vs-oes-vs-xrf) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM Boots are best for working outside. Tennis shoes are best for the gym. Sandals are best for the beach. Sometimes, though, footwear styles overlap... [OES](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/oes) [LIBS](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/libs) [Handheld XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/handheld-xrf) [API 578](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/api-578) [Masters of PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/masters-of-pmi) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/which-pmi-testing-technique-libs-vs-oes-vs-xrf) 1 min read #### [Metal Analysis Group Partners with ELTRA and Rigaku Americas Corporation to Support the Metals Community](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/metal-analysis-group-partners-with-eltra-and-rigaku-americas-corporation-to-support-the-metals-community) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM We are excited to announce two new distribution partnerships to further our support for industrial professionals in the metals supply chain. [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/metal-analysis-group-partners-with-eltra-and-rigaku-americas-corporation-to-support-the-metals-community) 7 min read #### [Lasers or X-rays: 7 Key Differences of Handheld LIBS vs XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/lasers-or-x-rays-7-key-differences-of-handheld-libs-vs-xrf) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM The Rolling Stones or The Beatles? Spiderman or Batman? iPhone or Android? Is there a winner in each of these classic match-ups? Maybe. What we know... [Metals Manufacturing](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/metals-manufacturing) [QAQC](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/qaqc) [LIBS](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/libs) [Handheld XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/handheld-xrf) [Inspection](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/inspection) [Masters of PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/masters-of-pmi) [PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/pmi) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/lasers-or-x-rays-7-key-differences-of-handheld-libs-vs-xrf) 9 min read #### [Handheld XRF for PMI Testing: An Honest Review](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/handheld-xrf-for-pmi-testing-an-honest-review) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM There have been a handful of truly revolutionary inventions throughout history. Fire. The wheel. Electricity. Donuts. The handheld XRF. No, I’m not... [Metals Manufacturing](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/metals-manufacturing) [Scrap Metal](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/scrap-metal) [QAQC](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/qaqc) [Handheld XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/handheld-xrf) [Inspection](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/inspection) [API 578](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/api-578) [Masters of PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/masters-of-pmi) [PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/pmi) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/handheld-xrf-for-pmi-testing-an-honest-review) 6 min read #### [Portable Optical Emission Spectrometers (OES): Everything You Need to Know](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/portable-optical-emission-spectrometers-oes-everything-you-need-to-know) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM The manufacturing industry has little to no tolerance for error. That means suppliers often need to know the exact composition of the metallic alloys... [Metals Manufacturing](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/metals-manufacturing) [QAQC](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/qaqc) [LIBS Laser OES](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/libs-laser-oes) [OES](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/oes) [Inspection](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/inspection) [API 578](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/api-578) [Masters of PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/masters-of-pmi) [PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/pmi) [Aluminum](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/aluminum) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/portable-optical-emission-spectrometers-oes-everything-you-need-to-know) 7 min read #### [What is PMI Testing (Positive Material Identification)?](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/what-is-positive-material-identification-pmi-testing-why-is-it-necessary) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM It’s tough for me to hear about accidents in the news caused by faulty parts and materials. Take, for example, the most recent SpaceX dilemma that... [Metals Manufacturing](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/metals-manufacturing) [QAQC](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/qaqc) [OES](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/oes) [LIBS](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/libs) [Handheld XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/handheld-xrf) [Inspection](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/inspection) [API 578](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/api-578) [Masters of PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/masters-of-pmi) [PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/pmi) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/what-is-positive-material-identification-pmi-testing-why-is-it-necessary) 1 min read #### [Welcome To the Metal Analysis Blog](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/welcome) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM Thank you for checking out the Metal Analysis Group blog - we’re excited to have to you with us! [News](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/news) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/welcome) 7 min read #### [Quality PMI Testing: 5 Tips to Ensure Trusted, Consistent Results](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/quality-pmi-testing-5-tips-to-ensure-trusted-consistent-results) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM If only life had 5 tips for quality results like PMI testing does; we would all be killing it! Fortunately, for us metal heads, there are 5 clear-cut... [OES](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/oes) [LIBS](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/libs) [Handheld XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/handheld-xrf) [Inspection](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/inspection) [API 578](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/api-578) [Masters of PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/masters-of-pmi) [PMI](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/pmi) [XRF](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/xrf) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/quality-pmi-testing-5-tips-to-ensure-trusted-consistent-results) 2 min read #### [WESTEC 2019 Recap: LIBS in Long Beach](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/westec-2019-recap-libs-in-long-beach) [Chris Carolan](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan): Mar 13, 2023 5:01:58 PM This was my first time at this event. A much larger event than I am used to attending, I walked into the large event space at the Long Beach... [Metals Manufacturing](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/metals-manufacturing) [KT-100S](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/kt-100s) [QAQC](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/qaqc) [LIBS](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/libs) [News](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/tag/news) [Read More](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/articles/westec-2019-recap-libs-in-long-beach) [1](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan/page/1) [2](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan/page/2) [ Next ](https://blog.xrfcompany.com/blog/author/chris-carolan/page/2)