Absorption Effect in Quantitative X-Ray Micoanalysis of Asbestos Fibers by Analytical Elrctron Microscopy

Abstract

X-Ray absorption effects were studied to carry out the quantitative analysis of various asbestos fibers by using transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometry.
X-R ay intensities ratioed to Si for various standards appeared to have much variation in a diameter 0.1μm than in diameters from 0.5 to 1.0μm under the fixed operating conditions of impinging electron beam. It was possible to calculate absorption correction intensities by the linear regression line on fiber diameter vs. intensity ratio basis when the thickness can not be measured or intensity ratios are not much variable. In the linear regression line of absorption correction factor calculated on the basis of chemical compositions, the slope of Na that has a large mass absorption coefficient increased markedly in the presence of much amounts of Fe such as in crocidolite fiber.
The thickness of each fibe r was found to be smaller than its diameter observed by the TEM.