Determination of volatile hydride-forming metals in steel by atomic absorption spectrometry

A scheme of analysis is presented for the determination of arsenic, antimony, bismuth, lead, selenium, tellurium and tin in steel by evolution of their volatile hydrides and subsequent atomic absorption spectrometry in an argon—hydrogen-entrained air flame. The method is rapid and applicable to a wide range of steels. Detection limits in steel of 1 p.p.m. for arsenic, antimony, bismuth, selenium and tellurium, 2 p.p.m. for tin and 7 p.p.m. for lead are reported. There is some interference in the determination of lead from copper and nickel, but the method could become a viable alternative to existing procedures in the determination of lead in steels of low alloy content, and in irons. Accuracy and precision data are presented.