X-ray fluorescence determination of sodium in silicate standards using direct dilution and dilution fusion preparation techniques

Direct dilution of a sample with an equal proportion of cellulose binder and dilution fusion of one part of sample with fourteen parts of LiBO₂ flux has been used to prepare pelletized samples of silicate standards for determining sodium by X-ray fluorescence analysis. An RAP analysing crystal was used to disperse and reflect the sodium spectra. Detection limits were found to be 0.07 and 0.39% Na₂O at the 2s̀ confidence level for the direct dilution and dilution fusion preparation techniques, respectively.