Multi-elemental analysis of low-alloyed steel by laser-induced breakdown spectrometry

Laser-induced breakdown spectrometry is a non-contact in-situ method for the chemical analysis of various materials. Our R&D activities concentrate on the improvement of the analytical features of LIBS for the quantitative multielemental analysis of low-alloyed steel grades. The analytical sensitivity for the crucial elements C, S and P, but also for Mn, Si, Cr and Ni was enhanced significantly. The limit of detection achieved for these elements is below 10 myg/g. For low alloyed steel, the ananlytical performance of LIBS has now achieved for most elements the level of conventional laboratory based methods such as spark-discharge optical spectrometry.