Microscopic distribution and coexistence states of tramp elements and valuable metals in recycled steel material by a statistical analysis

Abstract

In this study, we conducted trace element analysis using laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to quantitatively analyze the distribution of tramp elements and their coexistence states with other elements in recycled steel materials. The concentration distributions of Cu, Sn, Pb, Ag, and Au in a 455 μm × 270 μm region were measured using electric furnace steel as a sample by continuous line analysis. Although the concentration of Cu was the highest among the measured elements, the degree of variation in Cu concentration was the smallest. Meanwhile, not only were the degrees of variation of the Sn, Pb, and Ag concentrations large, but also the points of high concentration measurements tended to coincide. The coexistence states were investigated by determining the coefficient of correlation between the concentrations of two elements.