The determination, by x-ray fluorescence analysis, of platinum, palladium, ruthenium, iron, and chromium in special steels

This report describes the analysis of special corrosion-resistant steels for ruthenium, palladium, and platinum by X-ray-fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) and a thin-film technique. The precision of this method varies from 1 to 7 per cent, depending upon the analyte and its concentrations. The accuracy is good and compares favourably with that of other methods. The direct determination of these elements on solid samples with the use of scattered radiation as a matrix correction is only partly successful and is not recommended. The three platinum-group elements, iron, and chromium can be determined successfully in solid samples by XRFS if an empirical interelement correction method is used. The correction factors are determined by a multiple-regression method. The precision of the determination of the platinum-group elements is about 1 per cent and that of iron and chromium about 0,2 per cent. The accuracy is in most cases better than 2 per cent for all the elements determined. The method can be implemented with the use of available computer software and a small microcomputer. The two recommended laboratory methods are given as appendices to the report