Influence of relative abundance of isotopes on depth resolution for depth profiling of metal coatings by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

A systematic study on the influence of relative abundance of isotopes of elements in the coating (A(c)) and in the substrate (A(s)) on both shape of time-resolved signals and depth resolution (Delta z) was performed for depth profile analysis of metal coatings on metal substrates by ultraviolet (266 nm) nanosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry. Five coated samples with coating thicknesses of the same order of magnitude (20-30 microm) were tested: nickel coating on aluminium, chromium and copper, and steel coated with copper and zinc. A laser repetition rate of 1 Hz and a laser fluence of 21 J cm(-2) were used.

Study of heterogeneities in steels and determination of soluble and total aluminium and titanium concentration by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

A methodology for bulk analysis of Al and Ti and for determination of soluble and total Al and Ti concentration in steel samples by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The spatial distribution (both at surface and within the sample) of the insoluble fraction of Al and Ti was also qualitatively estimated. Certified reference materials (CRMs) SS-451 to 460 (carbon steel) and 064-1 (Nb/Ti interstitial free steel), from BAS, and JK 2D (carbon steel) and JK 37 (highly alloyed steel), from SIMR, were studied.