Standard Guide for Evaluating Grinding Materials Used for Surface Preparation in Spectrochemical Analysis

Abstract

4.1 The grinding materials used for the preparation of the surfaces of specimens prior to analysis by spark atomic emission or X-ray fluorescence spectrometry can contaminate the surface and thus produce erroneous results. This guide provides examples of the effects of these contaminations and recommendations for evaluating grinding materials to eliminate or reduce these effects in spectrochemical analysis. 4.2 The examples given in this guide are not the only contaminations that can occur. Especially in X-ray spectrometry, all phases of the surface preparation should be examined for potential contamination effects. 4.3 Analytical significance of the contaminations observed depends on the needs of the analyst for the particular application at a given composition.