Use of an argon-nitrogen inductively coupled plasma for the analysis of aluminium alloys subsequent to alkali dissolution

The determination of a series of elements (boron, copper, gallium, iron, magnesium, silicon, vanadium and zinc) in aluminium samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy is reported. High-purity aluminium, as well as various types of aluminium alloys (Al-Cu, Al-Mg, Al-Mg-Si, Al-Si, etc.) were brought into solution to give an analyte concentration of 0.125%m/V with an alkali dissolution procedure. The detection limits for the mentioned elements range from 5 to 150 µg g–1. Both trace elements and major constituents can be determined in the types of aluminium alloys mentioned, by using the same calibration graphs.