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Calibration Standards
For Major Element Analysis
Commercial single-element standard solutions were diluted and
mixed to prepare calibration standards. The concentrations of the
analytes contained in the calibration standards for major element
analysis are listed in Table 3.
First Edition: Sep. 2026 01-01072-EN
Related Applications
1. Simultaneous Analysis of Trace and Major Elements in Iron and
Steel by ICPE-9820, Application News No. J112
2. Trace Element Analysis of Steel Using ICP-MS, Application
News No. 01-01207-en
Table 4 Standard Addition Samples for Trace Elements
Elem.
STD1
(mg/L)
STD2
(mg/L)
STD3
(mg/L)
STD4
(mg/L)
Cu 0 5 10 -
P 0 5 10 -
Sn 0 1 2 -
Si 0 - - 50
Elem.
Wavelength
(nm)
View
Solid Conc.
(%)
SD
σ (%)
Rep.
(%)
Cert. Values (%)
Cr 267.716 RD 18.17 0.02 0.1 18.14 ± 0.04
Mn 257.610 RD 1.96 0.002 0.1 1.95 ± 0.01
Mo 202.030 RD 2.58 0.004 0.2 2.59 ± 0.02
Ni 231.604 RD 8.21 0.007 0.08 8.21 ± 0.02
*
1
Solid Detection Limit (Solid DL): 3 × σ(standard deviation of STD-1) × slope
of calibration curve × dilution factor
*
2
Si was subjected to pretreatment with mixed acid; however, due to its
limited long-term stability, it is listed here as a reference value.
Table 5 Quantitative Results for Major Elements
Elem.
Wavelength
(nm)
View
Solid
DL
(%)*
1
Solid
Conc.
(%)
SD
σ (%)
Rep.
(%)
Cert. Values (%)
Cu 324.754 AX 0.0002 0.0509 0.0003 0.6 0.0515 ± 0.0008
P 178.287 AX 0.0005 0.0421 0.0004 0.9 0.0423 ± 0.0005
Sn 189.989 AX 0.0001 0.0097 0.0001 1.0 0.00976 ± 0.00024
Si*
2
251.611 AX 0.009 0.530 0.005 1.0 0.515 ± 0.005
Table 6 Quantitative Results for Trace Elements
Table 3 Calibration Standards for Major Elements
Elem.
STD1
(mg/L)
STD2
(mg/L)
STD3
(mg/L)
STD4
(mg/L)
STD5
(mg/L)
Cr 0 10 25 50 100
Mn 0 1 2.5 5 10
Mo 0 2 5 10 20
Ni 0 5 12.5 25 50
Y 20 mg/L
Fe 250 mg/L
Nitric Acid 0.3 v/v%
Hydrochloric Acid 2.0 v/v%
For Trace Element Analysis
Standard addition samples were prepared as shown in Table 4.
Fig. 3 shows an example of manganese (Mn) calibration curves.
For the same element, calibration curves covering different
concentration ranges can be prepared by changing the view
orientation or measurement wavelength. This allows the
software to automatically select the appropriate calibration
curve for each sample according to the element concentration,
thereby reducing post-analysis data evaluation time and
minimizing evaluation errors.
Fig. 3 Mn Calibration Curves
(a) Mn 257.610nm RD (0.625–2.5 wt%)
(b) Mn 260.569nm AX (0–0.625 wt%)
Results
For the quantitative analysis, samples prepared in triplicate
during sample pretreatment were analyzed. The three sample
solutions prepared during pretreatment were each measured
three times within a single analytical run (N = 3), yielding a total
of nine analytical results. Table 5 shows the mean solid
concentration (Solid Conc.), standard deviation (SD), and
repeatability (Rep.) for each element.
Quantitative results for the major elements are presented in Table
5, and those for the trace elements are presented in Table 6.
For many elements, good agreement with the certified values
(Cert. Values) was obtained. The parallel tests also
demonstrated good reproducibility.
Conclusion
In this Application News, trace and major elements in a
stainless-steel certified reference material were analyzed using
the ICPE-9820. The measured values showed good agreement
with the certified values.
The sample introduction system, consisting of a torch for high-
concentration salt solution samples and a water bubbler,
effectively prevented sensitivity loss from salt deposition. At the
same time, the use of a Twister spray chamber enabled finer
particle-size selection, thereby improving analytical accuracy for
high-salt samples.
In addition, the ICPE-9820 employs a vacuum spectrometer,
enabling rapid startup and fast analysis in the vacuum
ultraviolet region (wavelengths below 190 nm).
