Mass Spectrometric Studies of Relative Sensitivity Coefficients in Nickel- and Iron-Base Alloys

Abstract

Mass spectrometric, relative sensitivity coefficients were determined for several elements in specific NBS nickel- and iron-base alloy standards. Concentrations of these elements ranged from several percent to only a few parts per million. The results indicate that the coefficients for many of the elements appear to remain nearly constant throughout a concentration range of an order of magnitude or more. On the other hand, some of the elements exhibit marked changes in the coefficient value as the concentration falls below a particular level. Matrix effects were also studied, and a definite trend toward a possible vapor pressure correlation with the sensitivity coefficients of the various elements was observed.