Indirect Determination of Phosphorous in Iron and Steel by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

An atomic absorption spectrometric study was carried out to establish fundamental conditions in the indirect determination of phosphorus in iron and steel. This method involves the extraction of phosphomolybdate (heteropolyacid H₃PO₄·12Mo0₃) complex with butyl acetate and the measurement of absorbance of the molybdenum in the extract.
The interference from iron and other elements such as Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Mo, Co, As, and W was found to be uninfluential, while the influence of V and Ti was not avoidable if they are over 5mg and 0.5rng respectively.
The results obtained were satisfactory for the determination of phosphorus in iron and steel. The coefficient of variation was 3.56% or 1.55% for 0.011% or 0.052% phosphorus respectively.