Determination of trace elements in metals by atomic-absorption spectrometry with the introduction of solid samples into furnaces: an investigation involving aqueous standards

Abstract

To ascertain whether calibration graphs constructed with aqueous standards can be employed for the determination of volatile trace elements in metals at concentrations <10μg/g, calibration graphs have been produced for bismuth, lead, silver and tellurium by introducing milligram masses of standard steels, nickel-base alloys and coppers, or microlitre volumes of aqueous standards, into either an induction furnace or a resistively heated furnace. Data are presented on the slopes and quality of the calibration graphs. Quantitative determinations of trace elements in metals by use of aqueousstandard calibration graphs proved possible only in isolated cases, though semiquantitative results (i. e. within 15% of actual content) could be obtained for bismuth and lead in the alloys mentioned, preferably with the induction furnace, but accurate results could not be obtained for the determination of trace concentrations of silver and tellurium in the metals. It is best to construct a calibration graph with metal standards of the same type as the samples to be analysed.