Analysis of Ferroalloys by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

Atomic absorption procedures have been developed for the determination of manganese and silicon in ferromanganese and in silicomanganese, chromium and silicon in three different grades of ferrochromium, silicon in ferrosilicon, vanadium in ferrovanadium, titanium in ferrotitanium, boron in ferroboron, and columbium in ferrocolumbium. In most cases a sample is dissolved by a combination of inorganic acids, including hydrofluoric, and using plastic laboratory ware. A sodium carbonate fusion of the acid insoluble portion of ferroboron is employed. A sodium peroxide fusion is used on the acid insoluble portion of one grade of ferrochromium. No separation of elements or reduction of iron concentration is required. All procedures use a nitrous oxide–acetylene flame and a laminar flow burner with any conventional atomic absorption apparatus. Calibration curves were prepared using either U. S. Bureau of Standards samples or analyzed samples of purchased ferroalloys.