Determination of trace impurities in nickel-based alloy using neutron activation analysis

A radiochemical neutron activation analysis procedure has been applied to i nvestigate 40 major, minor, and trace impurities in nickel-based alloy. The extensive use of these alloys in the electronic industry, telecommunicatio ns, manufacturing of aircraft engine turbine blades and chemical equipments desires for their precise characterization. The concentration of nickel in the nickel-based alloy was found to be 56.8%, whereas Fe, Cr, Ca, Mg, Ce, Mn, Na and V were the major components of the alloy, which constituted to m ore than 26%. The rest of the elements was present in minor or trace levels . Most of the rare earth elements except Ce were also present in trace amou nts. Neutron activation analysis technique was preferably used because of i ts good sensitivity and multielement determination capabilities for the cha racterization of high purity materials. The comparison of RNAA and INAA ind icated improvement in the detection limits utilizing radiochemical separati on procedures developed in the present work.