The determination of antimony in nodular cast iron by wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Antimony is determined in cast irons by wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Excitation and detection conditions are evaluated for the three most intense x-rays of antimony, i.e., the K_α, L_α and L_β lines. Standard samples were obtained by precise determination of the antimony content of some specimen cast irons by neutron activation analysis. Calibration graphs are linear from 0 to 200 mg kg^?1. The precision of the determination by means of the most sensitive Sb L_α line, using a chromium tube and a 5-min measuring time, ranges from 6% for samples containing 20 mg kg^?1 antimony, to 1% for samples containing 200 mg kg^?1.