Determination of boron in amorphous and nanostructured soft magnetic alloys,ribbons and layered materials by ICP atomic emission spectrometry

Optimum conditions for the accurate determination of B in amorphous or nanocrystalline soft magnetic Fe and Co base alloys (ribbons), boride coated powders and other materials by ICP atomic emission spectrometry are worked out. The spectral interferences of the 3 most prominent B emission lines caused by the matrix elements Fe, Co and Ni and the enhancement of the B blank values by a memory effect are investigated. Using a well-suited line fitted to the sample matrix and a special measuring regime including frequent recalibrations by an external standard, the total error of the analytical method could be reduced to 0.02% at B contents of 1 to 5% (w/w).