Rapid Determination of Major and Minor Elements in Rare Earth-Cobalt Magnets by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Major and minor constituents, Sm, Ce, Y, Co, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zr and Hf, in typical rare earth-cobalt magnets were determined sequentially by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Sample solutions were prepared by dissolving the magnets with aqua regia followed by dilution with 1.2M HCl to suitable concentration. Beryllium was added as an internal standard in order to improved experimental accuracy and precision, and the emission intensity of Be was measured by using an additional small monochromator attached to the original instrument system. Cobalt, Fe, Cu and Zr in the magnets were also determined by conventional spectrophotometry. The results obtained by both methods were in good agreement with each other.