Rapid determination of molybdenum in alloy steels by atomic-absorption spectroscopy in a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame

Abstract

Atomic-absorption spectroscopy at 3132 Å in a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame provides a rapid and precise determination of molybdenum in low and high alloy steels. The steel sample (1 g) is dissolved in hydrochloric and nitric acids which are then diluted to volume and sprayed directly into the flame. The observed absorbance is compared with that obtained from a calibration graph prepared from solutions containing known amounts of molybdenum and about the same amount of iron as the steel sample. The method proposed here operates in the range down to 0·2 per cent. of molybdenum and is free from interference from other alloying elements, including tungsten, in steel. The proposed method can be applied to any type of steel by using a single calibration graph.