The technique is not viable for elements low in the periodic table (from fluorine
downward) although there is research into the use of X-ray fluorescence for
fluorine and boric oxide. To this end, a method has been developed for the determination
of B2O3, which allows either a wet chemical or inductively coupled
plasma (ICP) finish, the latter being based on methods for the pottery industry.
Another wet (colorimetric) method for the determination of Hexavalent chromium
has also been produced. Finally, in the area of black and nitride ceramics,
a series of standards is appearing that allow their characterization using a mixture
of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and special chemical speciation
methods.