Metals Analysis

Luvak Inc. has experience with determination of Metal content

Method: Direct Current Plasma Emission Spectroscopy Equipment: Beckman SpectraSpan VI Reference: ASTM E 1097

Sample is dissolved in an acid mixture. The resulting solution is brought to volume and analyzed by Direct Current Plasma Emission Spectrometry. Solution standards with known concentrations of the elements to be analyzed are used to establish calibration data. Calibration is verified through analysis of NIST or NIST traceable certified reference materials. Similar to ICP, DCP employs argon plasma to excite the analytic. The plasma is produced through application of a direct current between a tungsten cathode and two graphite anodes rather than through an induction coil. The cathode/anode arrangement produces a "Y"-shaped plasma instead of the flare shaped plasma of the ICP torch. The detection method and intensities of the energy emitted by the matrix and analytic are relatively equivalent for the two techniques as are the detection limits and precision.

Method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Equipment: Perkin Elmer 3030B Reference: ASTM E 663

Sample is dissolved in an acid mixture. The resulting solution is brought to volume and analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Solution standards with known concentrations of the elements to be analyzed are used to establish calibration data. Calibration is verified through analysis of NIST or NIST traceable certified reference materials. In atomic absorption, the sample solution is aspirated into a flame in which the analytic absorbs the light emitted by an element specific hollow cathode lamp. Atomic absorption is considered to be an interference free technique and is employed for trace metals analysis.

Method: Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Equipment: Shimadzu AA6650 Reference: ASTM E 1184

Sample is dissolved in an acid mixture. The resulting solution is brought to volume and analyzed by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Solution standards with known concentrations of the elements to be analyzed are used to establish calibration data. Calibration is verified through analysis of NIST or NIST traceable certified reference materials. Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is employed in the determination of ultra trace metals. The multi-stepped furnace program coupled with the specificity of atomic absorption allows for isolation of the analytic for optimum detection at sensitivities 100 times those of DCP or AA.