Influence of particle size of powdered sample on the determination accuracy of slag by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with pressed powder pellet

The determination accuracy of slag by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) with pressed powder pellet is usually affected by the particle size effect and mineral effect. The particle size distribution of components in refining slag was investigated from perspectives of macroscopic and microcosmic by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS). The powdered samples prepared by different methods were used for XRF determination after pressed powder pellet and fusion sample preparation. The reasons causing difference of analysis results were discussed. The one-way ANOVA method was used to investigate the influence of particle size (in range of 0.16-0.088 mm) on the determination results of main components in stainless steel refining slag, electric furnace slag, carbon steel refining slag and electric furnace slag by XRF with pressed powder pellet. When the proportion of same component in same sample was different in various particle size ranges, the uniformity and representativeness of sample would be affected especially for calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide. The particle size effect was insignificant if the sample was grinded to 0.16-0.088 mm. The determination results of pressed powder pellet method tended to be stable, which could meet the production detection requirements.