The quality control process of the Zari bobbins, together with the procedure to analyse elements, is basically difficult and cumbersome. The chemical analysis can be done for the in-coming lot on a random basis and cannot be guaranteed for the entire lot, as it is virtually difficult to determine the purity by the traditional process. The technique is destructive and demands the most sophisticated microbalance operated by a skilled chemist with absolute expertise.

The determination of plating thickness over any substrates is measured by classical method by the ‘weight loss technique’. As the gold plating thickness is merely a fraction of a few microns, the possibility of errors is more even if it is formulated using high-resolution microbalance. The precious alloys like silver and other alloying metals like copper as well as possible impurities can be determined either by fire assay or chemical titration. Such chemical process involve mixtures of acids which cause hazardous fumes during process and hence, needs skilled chemist to follow standard and repetitive methods of analysis. Such techniques and laboratories are truly a Herculean task for every Zari weaving industry, considering their regular production line and burgeoning demand thereof. In spite of all such chemical analysis, it is quite time consuming and yet, cannot be considered accurate, unless handled by an expert chemist.

The apparent fall-out is that suppliers capitalize on this situation and supply poor quality Zari at the price of precious metal. The unwitting weavers, oblivious to these designs, supply the final product to their customers at high prices, accepting the quality of Zari as per their standards. As a direct consequence, consumers are deprived of getting the right products at an apt price, thus being finally cheated by the suppliers through weaving industries. Till such time the purity measurement process is destructive, the consumers are unable to verify the quality of final products.

Analysis Technique

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a unique non-destructive, non-contact analysis used since long for elemental, thickness and inspection applications. The principle of operation is described in the following model.

During measurement, the sample is excited by the primary X-ray beam generated in the X-ray tube. This causes the sample to emit its own characteristic X-ray fluorescent spectrum. These X-rays are detected by the detector and is converted in to electrical pluses. After processing in the amplifier the pulses are digitised in the ADC. Performs the computer/analyzer performs the pulse-height analysis, storing of spectra and calculates the result using modern mathematical correction procedure.