The analysis of dental amalgams by X-ray fluorescence, by using a solution technique

Abstract

A simple and comparatively rapid method is described for the analysis of dental amalgams that have the following range of concentrations in per cent. w/w: mercury 30 to 70, silver 20 to 50, tin 5 to 15, copper 0·5 to 1·5 and zinc up to 0·5. Mercury, silver, copper and zinc are determined in acidic solution after tin has been separated as metastannic acid and determined gravimetrically. By using a 0·5-g sample, precisions of ±0·26, ±0·20, ±0·04 and ±0·04 per cent. (2σ) are obtained on the mercury, silver, copper and zinc determinations, respectively.