Determination of trace and ultra-trace elements in wet-digested steel samples using inductively coupled plasma time of flight mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS)

Four steel materials were wet-digested with aqua regia by using a microwave -assisted system, and the analyses were carried out with inductively couple d plasma time of flight mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS). Trace and ultra-trac e concentrations were determined for the elements Ti, Zn, Ga, Nb, Sn, Sb, T e, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Ta, Ir, Pt, Tl, Pb, Bi and U. The concentrations fou nd were at the mug g(-1) (ppm) level or lower. For some elements the concen trations were below the limit of quantitation, and this was especially the case for many elements in the two low alloy steels.