Direct analysis of aluminum alloys by CSigma laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract

We report the application of CSigma laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (Cσ-LIBS) to quantitative analysis of aluminum alloys without sample preparation. Cσ-LIBS simplifies strongly the conventional calibration procedure of LIBS, replacing it with a characterization stage performed from the spectrum of a single standard sample. The aim of this work has been to provide a complete evaluation of the use of Cσ-LIBS for direct analysis by obtaining its figures of merit, including precision and limits of detection. Ten elements (Si, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mg, Cr, Ni, Zn, Ti and Ca) are determined in a set of six certified samples with a wide range of concentrations, from percent down to μg/g levels. The average precision is 8.0% for concentrations higher than 0.1 wt% and 13% for concentrations between 0.1 wt% and 0.01 wt%. The limits of detection are in the range 1.4–9.7 μg/g.