HIGH-PRESSURE MICROWAVE DISSOLUTION OF CERAMICS PRIOR TO TRACE-METAL DETERMINATIONS BY MICROWAVE-INDUCED PLASMA-ATOMIC EMISSION-SPECTROMETRY

A commercial laboratory microwave acid digestion system was evaluated for the acid dissolution of ceramic powders (Al2O3, AlN, BN and Si3N4) prior to the determination of their trace element content by microwav e induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Newly designed vessels, capable of withstanding internal pressures of over 110 bar, provide r apid and satisfactory results for sample dissolution. Sample preparati on time was approximately 30 min (including the subsequent cooling tim e and preparation of the final solution). Results from conventional st ainless-steel acid digestion vessel (''Teflon bomb'') dissolution are compared with the microwave bomb results of microwave plasma atomic em ission spectrometry.