Analytical Methodology for the Characterization of Steels and Iron Alloys by Atomic Absorption Analysis
The analysis of irons and steels has always been a very important job in the industrial and commercial environment. The grading of steels and iron alloys is critical to characterizing their respective strengths to corrosion and stress. There are also many protocols for the several hundred types of steels available. Fe is always the primary component, with elements such as Ni and Cr as major consstituents, and Mn, Zn, B, P, Cu, V, Ti, Co, Pb, Mo, Si, and Sn as essential minor elements. Much of the standard methods of analyses have been documented and issued by agencies like the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials), and the ISO (International Standards Organization). Some of the procedures listed here are taken from the ASTM Standards, volume 03.05 (Chemical Analysis of Metals); methods E350 (Low Alloy Steels), E351 (Cast Irons), E352 (Tool and High Alloy Steels, and E353 (Stainless Steels). All these standards employ Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS).