Analysis of glasses using atomic absorption and atomic emission spectrometry Part 1. General considerations and results of collaborative investigations Report by the International Commission on Glass Technical Committee 2 "Chemical Durability and Analysis"

Abstract

In a collaborative work within TC 2 of ICG a proposal for a standard procedure for the analysis of glasses by flame spectrometric methods (AAS and AES) was tested. General considerations and results with their discussions are given in this part 1, a detailed prescription of the procedures will follow in part 2. The investigations comprehended two glass types (a soda-lime-magnesia-silica glass and a coloured tubing glass containing Na2O, K2O, CaO, AI2O3, Fe2O3, and MnO as major constituents), and 4 synthetic solutions simulating the glass types borosilicate 3.3, alkaline earth containing borosilicate glass, soda-lime-magnesia-silica glass, and lead crystal glass. The measurements of the glasses were carried out by single and multiple-buffer methods: "Single buffer" using caesium salts, "multiple buffer" using different salts or salt concentrations. The results show no significant differences, so that the Committee recommends the quicker single-buffer technique, especially suitable for control purposes. The measurements of the synthetic solutions were carried out using only the single-buffer technique, but single and multiple-element calibration solutions. Discussing the results, the Committee stated, that precisely prepared sets of multiple-element calibration solutions will provide satisfactory results, again especially for control purposes. It is recommended, therefore, because it is time-saving.