Absorption correction factor in X-ray fluorescent quantitative analysis

An experiment on absorption correction factor in X-ray fluorescent quantitative analysis were carried out. Standard samples were prepared from the mixture of Fe2O3 and tapioca flour at various concentration of Fe2O3 ranging from 5% to 25%. Unknown samples were kaolin containing 3.5% to-50% of Fe2O3 Kaolin samples were diluted with tapioca flour in order to reduce the absorption of FeKα and make them easy to prepare. Pressed samples with 0.150 /cm2 and 2.76 cm in diameter, were used in the experiment. Absorption correction factor is related to total mass absorption coefficient (χ) which varied with sample composition. In known sample, χ can be calculated by conveniently the formula. However in unknown sample, χ can be determined by Emission-Transmission method. It was found that the relationship between corrected FeKα intensity and contents of Fe2O3 in these samples was linear. This result indicate that this correction factor can be used to adjust the accuracy of X-ray intensity. Therefore, this correction factor is essential in quantitative analysis of elements comprising in any sample by X-ray fluorescent technique