Ammonium extraction method for ion chromatographic measurements of disc drive components

The analysis of ionic micro-contamination is of growing importance in the d isc drive industry. Through the use of ion chromatography, cleanliness of d rive components can be assessed. An objective to improve quantification of highly reactive inorganic ions that exist within the drive environment was implemented. This paper presents a new extraction technique used to determi ne low levels of ammonium, by microbore ion chromatography. Various chemica l compounds within adhesive formulations can be a source of extractable amm onium. By combining this new extraction method with ion chromatography, the percentage of different chemical compounds within adhesive formulations wa s correlated to the level of extractable ammonium observed. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.