Application of optical emission source developments in metallurgical analysis

Abstract

Recent developments in metallurgical analysis, which have potential for use in industry, are described. The paper concentrates on three techniques: firstly the use of pulse distribution analysis in spark-source optical emission spectroscopy to determine soluble aluminium in steel separately from the aluminium that is present as inclusions in the steel matrix; secondly, glow discharge spectrometry for the determination of alloying elements in steel, a technique which has potential for both bulk and surface analysis of steel, and lastly, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. Data are presented, together with reproducibility measurements, which give the optimum conditions for multielement analysis of steel using this technique.