New Post-combustion Ultraviolet Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Precise Determination of Trace Sulfur in Steel

Abstract

We have developed an analytical method which enables highly precise and rapid quantitative analysis of ultra low sulfur content in steel samples. This development has been termed the “post-combustion ultraviolet fluorescence method”, which combines a high frequency induction furnace with a continuous UV fluorescence analyzer. Despite the same ease of operation as the conventional IR method, the newly developed method showed high sensitivity and good precision. The quantitation limit of sulfur in steel was 0.5 mass ppm. In addition, it was shown that this equipment has sufficient stability for use as a process control analysis apparatus in continuous operation.