Glass and glass-ceramic homogeneity evaluation using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Abstract

Laser ablation hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to evaluate the homogeneity of high performance glass and glass-ceramic samples. Signal 10 26 27 47 90 121 profiles of B, Mg, Al, Ti, Zr and Sb were monitored, and solid samples were analyzed directly without sample preparation. A fractional factorial design was used to evaluate the influence of 6 parameters. A matrix with 5 rows and 5 columns (total of 25 points) was analyzed for 6 samples (3 glasses and 3 glassceramics). Fifty pulses were conducted at each point to observe the surface, and 50 additional pulses were later conducted at the same positions to observe the bulk. The analyzed samples presented homogeneous surface and bulk profiles with respect to the main oxide elements (Al and Mg) and nucleating agents (Ti and Zr). Relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the monitored elements varied from 3.2 to 23.2%. When the glasses were compared with the glass-ceramics, 10 significant differences were observed only for B. Al and B presented high signals at the bottom of the samples (top of the melting crucible). In contrast, Zr and Ti presented homogeneous profiles throughout the samples.