Quantitative Analysis of Tin (Sn) in Plastics by EDXRF

Introduction

EDX analysis of controlled substances in electrical and electronic equipment currently includes the 5 RoHS elements (Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg, Br) and 2 halogens (Cl, Br). However, due the current restrictions and limitations placed on organic tin compounds, tin (Sn) is expected to be added to that list of controlled substances. Although EDX cannot be used for the identification and quantitation of organotin compounds, their detection is possible based on the analysis of tin as an element. As standard samples of PE (polyethylene) plastic spiked with tin are now commercially available, we are able to present the results of sensitivity evaluation in analyses conducted using the EDX-LE/GP (720). Since dedicated instruments are often used for rapid OK / GRAY / NG screening analysis of these elements, here we present one such example of elemental analysis.

June 25, 2013 GMT