Basic Training 4th Annual ICP Conference

Sulfur in steel

2 – Sample Preparation Possible approaches

1. Acid digestion 2. Base digestion 3. Ashing/fusion 4. Dilute-and-shoot

Possible concerns ! Elemental sulfur?

Sulfur in steel

2 – Sample Preparation Possible approaches

Advantages

Disadvantages

1. Acid digestion 2. Base digestion 3. Ashing/fusion 4. Dilute-and-shoot

minimal equipment, few reagents

few, if any

minimal equipment

flux matrix

Acid digestion Aqua regia/HF

Fusion

Possible concerns ! Elemental sulfur?

Na 2 CO 3 / Na 2 O 2 in Pt o crucible

10:1 acid/sample ratio Low heat (hotplate)

20:1 flux/sample ratio 1000 o C ~20 minutes