Boron Determination – Measurement of Boron Content of Materials by LSM Analytical Services

Background

LSM Analytical Services offer a large and diverse range of modern analytical testing facilities that cater for a vast range of industry sectors. LSM’s success has been achieved by building on a strong reputation for low cost, fast accurate turnaround. The laboratory activities are backed up by accreditation to the ISO 17025 (UKAS) and 9001:2000 laboratory and quality management standards. LSM is able to offer complete analytical solutions from its internationally recognised team of technical experts, with in depth knowledge, allowing its customers to benefit from impartial guidance.

LSM’s range of analytical services includes:

• X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF)
• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
• ICP Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES)
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
• Carbon, Sulphur, Nitrogen, Oxygen Analysers
• Boron analysis by the Neutron Transmission method
• Colorimetric and Volumetric Analysis
• Particle Size Analysis

Analytical Determination of Boron

LSM Analytical Services large range of analytical techniques includes instrumentation for Boron analysis of high boron containing materials.

The analytical determination of Boron by conventional chemical techniques can be very time consuming.  Consequently heavy demands can be placed on laboratory resource, particularly if sample numbers are high.

LSM Analytical Services has analysis methods for measurement of high level and total boron content of boron nitride, ceramics and metals by neutron adsorption boron monitor.

Boron Determination by Neutron Adsorption

However the high neutron absorption cross section of the Boron-10 isotope at low neutron energies is a characteristic of Boron exploited in the use of the more rapid and accurate neutron absorption technique at LSM for materials with Boron contents typically between 0.1 and 20% B.

The method is non destructive and can be used for bulk solids. It is best applied to the determination of Boron in matrices that have low thermal neutron absorption or scattering cross-sections.

How Neutron Adsorption Works for Detecting Boron

By irradiating a Boron containing sample with a neutron beam the Boron causes a loss in intensity of the monochromatic beam. By comparing to known Boron content reference materials, the loss in transmission can be converted to an accurate determination of Boron content.

Materials containing elements of comparable mass absorption coefficients to boron e.g. Cd, Li can cause loss of accuracy due to interference.

Source: LSM Analytical Services

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