ICP-AES Analysis of Secondary Tungsten-Containing Raw Materials for Production of Hard Alloys

A method for ICP-AES determination of Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ta in recycled cemented tungsten carbide is developed including preliminary microwave sample decomposition in a steam pressure vessel (autoclave). We have specified the composition of the reaction mixture for sample dissolution and optimized the parameters of microwave heating in the autoclave. Correctness of the results is proved by the method of sample weight variation and spike tests. The results of analysis are compared with the data obtained by standardless method of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The technique is characterized by good reproducibility and allows significant reduction of the analysis time owing to the combination of the multielement method of ICP-AES and microwave sample preparation.