Determination of trace elements in metals and alloys by atomic-absorption spectroscopy using an induction-heated graphite well furnace as atom source

An induction-heated graphite furnace, coupled to a Unicam SP 90 atomic-absorption spectrometer, is described for the direct determination of trace elements in metals and alloys. The furnace is capable of operation at temperatures up to 2400 degrees , and has been used to obtain calibration graphs for the determination of ppm quantities of bismuth in lead-base alloys, cast irons and stainless steels, and for the determination of cadmium at the ppm level in zinc-base alloys. Milligram samples of the alloys were atomized directly. Calibration graphs for the determination of the elements in solutions were obtained for comparison. The accuracy and precision of the determination are presented and discussed.     

Spectrophotometric determination of traces of several metals in ferrous and nonferrous metals and alloys after isolation by iodide extraction

Methods are presented for the determination of traces of lead, cadmium, indium, bismuth, copper, and antimony in most of the important metals and alloys used in industry. The trace metals are isolated by hexone extraction of their iodides from 5% hydrochloric acid solution and then determined spectrophotometrically. The attractive feature of the proposed procedures is that the method used for each of the trace metals is applicable to all of the matrix metals and alloys being considered.     

Rapid method for the separation and determination of bismuth,antimony, and tin by controlled cathode electroanalysis

A study was made of the separation and determination of bismuth, antimony, and tin by electrochemical means, using controlled cathode potential. The effects of electrolyte composition, cathode potential, and temperature were investigated with respect to separations of the three metals and degree of recovery of each. Best results were obtained by use of an electrolyte containing sulfate and citrate. A procedure was devised which would serve for rapid analysis for bismuth, antimony and tin in the form of mixtures and alloys     

Direct determination of bismuth and antimony in sea water by anodic stripping voltammetry

A method based on anodic stripping voltammetry at the mercury-coated graphite electrode has been developed for the direct determination of bismuth and antimony at their natural levels in sea water. Bismuth plated at -0.4 V from sea water made 1 M in hydrochloric acid gives a stripping peak proportional to concentration at -0.2 V without interference from antimony or other metals normally present. Antimony may be plated from sea water made 4 M in hydrochloric acid and gives a stripping peak at -0.2 V proportional to the sum of bismuth and antimony. By use of the standard addition technique, satisfactory results were obtained for sea water samples with concentration ranges of 0.02–0.09 μg kg^?1 for bismuth and 0.2–0.5 μg kg^?1 for antimony.     

The accurate determination of bismuth in lead concentrates and other non-ferrous materials by AAS after separation and preconcentration of the bismuth with mercaptoacetic acid

A method for determining 0.0001% and upwards of bismuth in lead, zinc or copper concentrates, metals or alloys and other smelter residues is described. Bismuth is separated from lead, iron and gangue materials with mercaptoacetic acid after reduction of the iron with hydrazine. Large quantities of tin can be removed during the dissolution. An additional separation is made for materials high in copper and/or sulphate. The separated and concentrated bismuth is determined by atomic-absorption spectrometry using the Bi line at 223.1 nm. The proposed method also allows the simultaneous separation and determination of silver.     

Selective complexometric determination of bismuth with mercaptans as masking agents, and its estimation in alloys

A method is proposed for selective complexometric determination of bismuth. To a solution containing bismuth and other cations, excess of EDTA is added and the surplus is back-titrated at pH 5-6 with lead nitrate (Xylenol Orange as indicator). Thioglycollic or mercaptopropionic acid is then added to decompose the bismuth-EDTA complex and the liberated EDTA is titrated with lead nitrate. The interference of various cations has been studied and the method employed to determine bismuth in a variety of alloys.     

Determination of uranium,zirconium, magnesium and iron in bismuth alloys

Uranium in bismuth alloys is determined by a procedure where E.D.T.A. is added to complex bismuth and other metals and uranium oxinate is extracted by chloroform and determined spectrophotometrically. Zirconium is determined spectrophotometrically using alizarin S as reagent under carefully controlled conditions of acidity and time of colour formation. Magnesium is determined indirectly by measuring the absorption of oxine spectrophotometrically after precipitating the magnesium oxinate complex and redissolving. Bismuth is first separated by extraction of its iodide complex with methyl isobutyl ketone, and other interfering metals by extraction of their oxinate complexes at pH 6.5. Iron is determined as its thiocyanate complex after extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone, bismuth thiocyanate remaining in the aqueous phase.     

Separation of bismuth from lead, copper and other elements by means of anion exchange

The anion-exchange behaviour of bismuth and various other elements has been investigated in media consisting of methyl glycol and nitric acid. Through the determination of the distribution coefficients in such mixtures, a method for the anion-exchange separation of bismuth from many metal ions has been developed. A mixture of 90% methyl glycol and 10% 5M nitric acid is a suitable medium for this separation on the strongly-basic anion exchanger Dowex 1, X8. Only bismuth, thorium and lanthanum are strongly retained on the resin in these conditions. All other elements investigated, such as lead, copper, iron, etc., are either only weakly adsorbed or are not absorbed. By means of this ion-exchange procedure, a series of analyses of copper-base alloys for bismuth has been carried out. The results show that this method can be used successfully for the quantitative isolation of bismuth from such materials. The final determination of bismuth in the eluates is performed by complexometric titration.     

Determination of silver, bismuth, cadmium, copper, iron, nickel and zinc in lead- and tin-base solders and white-metal bearing alloys by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

A simple atomic-absorption spectrophotometry method is described for the determination of silver, bismuth, cadmium, copper, iron, nickel and zinc in lead- and tin-base solders and white-metal bearing alloys, with use of a single sample solution. The sample is dissolved in a mixture of hydrobromic acid and bromine, then fumed with sulphuric acid. The lead sulphate is dissolved in concentrated hydrochloric acid. The method is particularly suitable for the determination of silver and bismuth, which are co-precipitated with lead sulphate. The other elements can also be determined after removal of the lead sulphate by filtration.     

New spectrophotometric thiocyanate determination of iron in metals,alloys, acids and salts

A rapid, sensitive and fairly selective spectrophotometric thiocyanate method for the determination of traces of iron in metals, alloys, acids and salts is described. The iron is isolated from the bulk of the sample by solvent extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone from ₇N lithium chloride solution or ₇N hydrochloric acid. The iron (III) thiocyanate color is developed directly in the ketone extract and then measured spectrophotometrically.     

Curie temperature of alloys,its measurement and technical importance

The basic relations between magnetic saturation and Curie temperature versus the composition is discussed for ferromagnetic metals and alloys of technical importance. There exist a number of methods for the determination of the transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic behaviour, i.e. thermogravimetry (thermomagnetometry), inductice methods and calorimetric methods. As most nonmagnetic solute elements lower the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic metals the Curie temperature can be used to determine the concentration of the solute element in binary systems up to the solubility limit. In ternary and higher systems there is a combined effect of different element on the change of Curie temperature. Thus it is not generally possible to use the Curie temperature as a measure of the solute element concentration in such alloys. Under certain circumstances e.g. when the composition of a multiphase material is close to the equilibrium composition, it is still possible to use the Curie temperature to characterize the composition of the ferromagnetic phase. Such a system is exemplified by normal cobalt-based cemented carbide. The Curie temperature can also be used as a means for temperature calibration, e.g. of thermobalances. Certified Reference Materials have been selected for this purpose by the ICTA Committee on Standardization.     

Determination of tin, bismuth, antimony, indium, gallium and arsenic by solvent extraction cum atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A rapid atomic absorption spectrometric method for the determination of tin, antimony, bismuth, indium, gallium and arsenic in geological materials, steels and alloys is described. The samples are fused with sodium peroxide (for geological samples such as cassiterite and sulphides) or decomposed with sulphuric/hydrochloric acid mixture or by alkaline fusion (for silicates or bauxites) or by acid treatment (for steels, alloys and certain geological samples). The elements of interest are extracted as their iodides into methyl isobutyl ketone, stripped into aqueous solution by treatment with benzene, concentrated nitric acid and water, and determined by flame atomic-absorption spectrometry. Detailed study is made on stripping of the metals from organic phase as there no simple and rapid stripping procedures available. The method allows the determination of Sn, Sb, Bi and In down to 2 ppm and Ga down to 5 ppm. The relative standard deviations range up to 10% with an average of 2.5%. Apparent recoveries of these metals range from 90 to 110 with an average of 95% for Sb and 99% for others.     

Determination of cerium in ferrous alloys

A method for the determination of cerium in ferrous alloys is described. Cerium (with lead and bismuth) is separated from other elements by anion exchange in a medium consisting of 95% methanol and 5% 5 N nitric acid; cerium alone is tlien eluted with 90% methanol-10% 6 N hydrochloric acid and determined in the eluate by titration with EDTA to xylenol orange indicator. Application of the method to several steel samples was successful.     

Analysis of bismuth base alloys : Ternary alloys containing uranium and neodymium or praseodymium

Procedures are described for the analysis of bismuth base alloys containing 0.2–5% of uranium and 0.2–5% of neodymium or praseodymium. Bismuth is first separated from a solution of the alloy in N nitric acid by extraction with diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate in chloroform, followed by the separation of uranium with the same reagent from an acetate buffered solution of pH 5.5–6.0. The uranium determination is completed by measuring the absorbancy of its diethyldithiocarbamate complex in chloroform. The neodymium or praseodymium is determined by titration with EDTA of the aqueous solution remaining after the separation of bismuth and uranium, using xylenol orange indicator in solutions of pH 5.6–5.8 EDTA is also used to determine the bismuth by direct titration of a separate aliquot of the sample solutions.     

Determination of bismuth, selenium and tellurium in nickel-based alloys and pure copper by flow-injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry—with ascorbic acid prereduction and cupferron chelation-extraction

Diverse matrix effects on the determination of bismuth, selenium and tellurium (μg g⁻¹) in nickel-based alloys and pure copper by flow-injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FIAS-HGAAS) were investigated. Sodium tetrahydroborate was used as the reductant. The separation of analytes from copper matrix was mandatory while the analytes were successfully determined without being separated from the alloy matrix. Hydrochloric acid was effective in the prereduction of bismuth and selenium, however, it did not give any satisfactory result for tellurium in nickel-based alloys. In this work, 5% (w/v) ascorbic acid was proved effective for the prereduction of tellurium.Successful determination of tellurium in copper was achieved when N-nitroso-N-phenylhydroxylamine (cupferron) chelation-extraction was employed for the separation of tellurium from copper matrix. Cupferron chelation-extraction was performed in phosphate buffer (a mixture of 0.2 mol l⁻¹ sodium phosphate and 0.1 mol l⁻¹ citric acid). Lanthanum hydroxide coprecipitation at pH 10.0±0.5 was effective for bismuth and selenium. Standard reference materials of nickel-based alloys and pure copper were analyzed using the proposed methods. The linear range for the calibration curves were 0.30-15 and 0.20-10 ng ml⁻¹ for BiH₃ and H₂Se, respectively, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995. For H₂Te, the linear range for the calibration curves was 0.50-12 ng ml⁻¹ with the correlation coefficient of 0.9994. Good agreement was obtained between experimental values and certified values. Satisfactory recovery ranged from 91±1 to 106±2% was obtained from five replicate determinations.     

Ion exchange separation in the analysis of bismuth base alloys : Part II. Ternary alloys containing uranium and thorium

Procedures are described for the analysis of bismuth base alloys containing uranium and thorium in the range from 0.1 to 10%. The thorium is first separated by the passage of a solution of the sample in 5M hydrochloric acid through a column of Deacidite FF in the chloride form. For thorium contents greater than about 1%, the determination is completed volumetrically with EDTA using pyrocatechol violet as the indicator. Smaller amounts are determined absorptiometrically by the thoronol method. Uranium is recovered from the ion-exchange column in a quantity of 0.2M hydrochloric acid, bismuth still being retained by the column under these conditions. Uranium contents greater than about 1% are determined volumetrically after reduction to the tetravalent state with a lead reductor, whilst smaller amounts are determined polarographically using a tartrate base solution.     

铜的铬、钼、钨合金中杂质氧、氮的测定方法研究

研究了铜铬、铜钨、铜钼合金中杂质氧和氮的测定方法. 针对这3种合金试样由熔点相差较大的金属组成的特点, 使用了仪器的程序升温等先进功能, 选用合适的助熔剂的预处理方法, 选择适宜的加热温度, 使用镍助熔剂、高温座坩埚和石墨粉浴进行试验, 获得了满意的测定效果. 对质量分数氧0.048%、氮0.0036%的试样, 其相对标准偏差分别为4.1%、 10.3%; 加标回收率为氧90%～109%、氮91%～117%.     

Determination of bismuth in nickel-base alloys by atomic absorption spectrometry with introduction of solid samples into an induction furnace

Atomic absorption spectrometry with an induction furnace is applicable'to the determination of bismuth at 0.02–10 μg g^-1 levels in 1–30-mg samples of nickel-base alloys dropped into the furnace. Calibration graphs of peak absorbance versus mass of bismuth are constructed by use of standardised alloys. Samples of alloys can be added to the furnace at 2.5-min intervals. Calibration graphs, accuracy, precision and limits of detection of the method are discussed for 26 alloys. Accuracy is assessed by comparing the induction furnace results with results supplied with the alloys, and with results obtained for solutions of the alloys by atomic absorption spectrometry in association with hydride generation or a mini-Massmann furnace. With alloys containing more than 0.1 μg Bi g^-1, relative standard deviations by the induction furnace method are usually < 15%. The limit of detection for bismuth is 0.02 μg g^-1     

原子荧光光谱法测定铜合金中铋元素含量方法改进

基于原子荧光光谱法测定铋元素时检出限低、测定结果稳定且准确等优点,研究原子荧光光谱法测定铜合金中铋元素含量的方法。在标准系列中加入相近浓度的铜元素标准溶液,原子荧光光谱法测定铜合金中铋元素含量。称取0.1 g样品,加入10 mL硝酸溶解,10%硫脲-5%抗坏血酸溶液7.5 mL预处理样品。在20μg/L的铋标准溶液中加入6 mL浓度为1000μg/mL的铜元素标准溶液。结果表明:在0~20μg/L范围内,该方法线性关系良好,线性方程为I=138.1670c+43.8572,相关系数为0.9996,所测定的样品中铋元素含量的相对误差在-4.3%~7.7%之间,精密度在0.4%~4.7%之间。原子荧光光谱法可作为铜合金中铋元素含量测定的方法。     

Determination of bismuth by flame atomic-absorption spectrophotometry after separation by adsorption of its 2-mercaptobenzothiazole complex on microcrystalline naphthalene

Trace amounts of bismuth have been determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry after adsorption of the 2-mercaptobenzothiazole complex on naphthalene. The method has been applied to the determination of bismuth in aluminium alloys.