New analytical method for determination and speciation of forms of carbon

A new analytical method is presented, allowing the identification and determination of various forms of carbon (elemental and combined) present in materials. The method is based on temperature-controlled heating of the sample in oxygen or an inert atmosphere, with continuous recording of the amount of carbon oxides evolved, as a function of temperature. The application of the method is demonstrated with typical examples (cast iron, artificial diamond, carbides isolated from steel, electrographite).