A highly selective direct colorimetric procedure for the determination of zirconium in steel with arsenazo III by using a pressure-digestion technique for sample dissolution

Abstract

Zirconium in steel is determined colorimetrically with arsenazo III in 7·5 M perchloric acid solution. Chemically inert forms of zirconium, which remain unchanged after conventional treatment with acid, are dissolved by means of a pressure-digestion technique. Results obtained with six British Chemical Standard steel samples show excellent precision and accuracy. Interference studies with fifteen metals commonly found in steel indicate that the procedure is applicable to a wide range of steels. Concentrations of zirconium in excess of 0·001 per cent. m/m in steel samples can be determined.