What is the most precise analytical instrumentation which can provide the elementary composition of an unknown alloy? It is better if the technique is non-destructive. The elemental composition of the alloy is completely unknown.
The standard way is to use optical emission spectroscopy, relatively cheap and well suited for metals.
If light elements (like carbon) are not important, then XRF, EDS, WDS.
XRD is not really good for your task.
For metals, portable XRF works fine to get a first idea, but is not very precise, especially with totally unknowns. Especially bad for light elements. EDS and WDS are getting more precise for non destructive testing.
Better answers from trace element techniques such as AAS, MIP-AES, ICP-OES, but all require sample prep, digestion and are more expensive per sample.The most sensitive you can get (down to ppt range) is probably ICP-MS.
Exception is for carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and sulphur, where an elemental analyser may be the instrument of choice.
So it comes down to what you are after, fast screening of main components in the alloy or getting hands on the tiniest amounts impurities.
XRD, EDAX or XRF.
XRF is better option since the results are easy to interpret and it can analyze most of the metals listed in periodic table.
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