Determination of trace amounts of elements in high-purity iron steels and Cr-Fe alloy by ICP-OES after anion-exchange separation

A method for the determination of a mu g g(-1) levels of 8 elements in high-purity iron, low-alloy steels, Cr-Fe alloy, and tool steels has been developed. In matrix separation, iron and chromium in the sample solution were passed through a strongly basic anion-exchange resin column with 2 M HF solution. The 8 elements adsorbed on resin, such as Hf, Mo, Nb, Sn, Ta, Ti, W, Zr, were eluted by a nitric acid -hydroperoxide solution and determined by ICP-OES simultaneously. This method could be employed for the analysis of tool steel containing large amount of molybdenum.