Spectrochemistry in the Iron Foundry: X-Ray Fluorescence vs. Optical Emission

Abstract

The casting of iron is largely a chemical process: that is, the chemistry of molten iron greatly influences the properties of finished castings. Other parameters - casting design, mold integrity, inoculation practice, pouring temperature, and shakeout procedure - are also vital to consistent production. But if the chemistry is wrong, the probability of defective castings is high. For this reason, control of chemical composition has long been a major objective of foundrymen.To be useful for either process control or quality assurance checking, analytical work must be reliable and accurate. Data should also be available in a minimal period of time to make possible the on-line adjustments necessary to achieve proper chemistry, and thus the desired properties, in the final castings.

Ferrous analysis

“…A Russian review of the foreign literature on the use of X-ray spectral methods in ferrous metallurgy was published in 1978 (530). The use of X-ray fluorescence for minerals exploration (144), iron-ore analysis (216), and foundry pig-iron analysis (231) as well as its use as a comparison with optical emission spectrometry in a foundry (244) has been reviewed.…”