The determination of chromium and molybdenum in a complete range of steels by atomic-absorption spectrometry with a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame

Abstract

Interferences in the absorption of chromium and molybdenum in steels are overcome in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame by using perchloric acid as the solvent. The method is rapid and suitable for any level of chromium or molybdenum found in steels and other metallic alloys. An alternative method for the determination of molybdenum is necessary when the tungsten concentration exceeds 0·5 per cent.; this involves the use of a perchloric-phosphoric-sulphuric acid mixture to retain the tungsten in solution. A difference read-out technique to obtain good precision for high levels of chromium is described.