A GUIDING PRINCIPLE TO SELECT PIXE OR PIXE-INDUCED XRF FOR STEEL ANALYSIS

The signal-to-background ratio (S/B) and the minimum detection limit ( M.D.L.) of 0.41 wt.% Mn in a typical steel was determined experimental ly and those of Cr, V and Ti (0.41 wt.% each) in hypothetical steels w ere estimated theoretically by using the above experimental values. Th ese S/B and M.D.L. values were compared for three kinds of methods, i. e. PIXE without Cr absorber, PIXE with Cr absorber and PIXE-induced XR F under the same experimental conditions. Here 4000 s and 60 cps were chosen for the data acquisition time and the X-ray counting rates resp ectively. PIXE-induced XRF was excellent among these methods in both S /B and M.D.L, for several times or more.