Sample Preparation of Glass and Ceramic Materials for Atomic Absorption Analysis

The analysis of silicate-based glass and ceramics has always been a moderately difficult job, since the components that comprise the glass are usually not stable together in solution. For example, most typical acidic digestions that solubilize silicon will cause calcium fluoride to precipitate. If no fluoride is present, the silicon will not be fully decomposed, and if the solution is heated, boron can be lost, etc.

There are several industry standard procedures that are used for specific elements, thereby requiring at least two (2) preparations to be used for the complete, reproducible analysis of each sample. If only certain components are important, then perhaps a single preparation can be employed. Listed below are some methods developed at Buck Scientific for use on the Model 210VGP Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers.