Elemental investigation of (Al-Cu) alloys and some geological samples using neutron activation and XRF analysis techniques

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) using k0 - standardization (k0-NAA) is well known method for multi-elemental analysis. The method is used to analyze different samples belonging to different fields. In addition, X- ray fluorescence (XRF) is also used for multi-elemental analysis. XRF complements NAA methods. Both methods were used for investigation of some iron ores and aluminum- cupper alloy (Al-Cu) samples. Elemental concentration of Iron ores and Al-Cu alloy samples were determined by k0 - NAA and XRF methods. The iron ore samples were collected from Wadi Kareim and Umm Nar sites (the Eastern desert of Egypt). Six and two samples representing the ores of Wadi Kareim and Umm Nar, respectively altogether with the standard samples consisting of Fe, Au , Zr and W and the certified reference sample IAEA Soil-7 were irradiated in one of the irradiated boxes at the Second Egyptian Research Reactor (ETRR- 2). The induced activities were counted using an efficiency calibrated HPGe detector systems. The neutron spectrum parameters α and f characterizing the neutron irradiation position that are needed in applying k0-NAA method were determined using the activation product of Zr , Au, Fe and W and found α≅ - 0.048 ±0.002 and f ≅ 38± k0 -NAA method was applied to determine the elemental concentrations in the two iron ore samples. The concentrations determined were found to vary erratically form one sample to another. The results were discussed and compared with similar results in literature. The accuracy of the k0 - NAA method was checked by determining the elemental concentration in the IAEA-Soil 7 reference sample. The obtained results are compared with the recommended values. Good agreements were found within 10 %. Short time neutron activation analysis (STNAA) was carried out to determine concentration of major elements in Al-Cu alloy samples. Three (Al-Cu) alloys samples with different concentrations of Cu (2, 3.5 and 5 %) altogether. Au standard sample (bare and Cd-covered) were irradiated by neutrons using the Penumatic irradiation rabid system (PIRS) installed at the ETRR-2. The modified k0-NAA analysis method was used to determine the major elements in the Al-Cu alloy samples without the need to determine the neutron spectrum parameters α and f. The Al-Cu alloy samples were also, analyzed using XRF method. Results obtained from both methods were compared and discussed.