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Multi-Acid (4-Acid) Digestions

Through our global network of laboratories, SGS delivers a broad spectrum of geochemical analysis including multi-acid (4 acid) digests. 

Multi-acid digestion uses a combination of HCl (hydrochloric acid), HNO3 (nitric acid), HF (hydrofluoric acid) and HClO4 (perchloric acid). Because hydrofluoric acid dissolves silicate minerals, these digestions are often referred to as 'near-total digestions'.

Multi-acid (4 acid) digestion is a very effective dissolution procedure for multi-element analysis at trace levels of detection. However, there can be a loss of volatile elements (e.g. B, As, Pb, Ge, Sb) during this type of digestion and some refractory minerals (especially oxide minerals) are only partially digested. Our experts will help you select a method that is fit-for-purpose.

ICP40B - 32 Elements by Four-Acid Digestion / ICP-AES

LIMITSLIMITSLIMITS
Ag2ppm-10ppmFe0.01%-15%Sb5ppm-1%
Al0.01%-15%K0.01%-15%Sc0.5ppm-1%
As3ppm-1%La0.5ppm-1%Sn10ppm-1%
Ba1ppm-1%Li1ppm-1%Sr0.5ppm-1%
Be0.5ppm-0.25%Mg0.01%-15%Ti0.01%-15%
Bi5ppm-1%Mn2ppm-1%V2ppm-1%
Ca0.01%-15%Mo1ppm-1%W10ppm-1%
Cd1ppm-1%Na0.01%-15%Y0.5ppm-1%
Cr1ppm-1%Ni1ppm-1%Zn1ppm-1%
Co1ppm-1%P0.01%-15%Zr0.5ppm-1%
Cu0.5ppm-1%Pb2ppm-1%

The following elements can be added to above package:
Ce, Hf, Nb, Rb, Se, Te, Th, U

Elements Which Can Volatilize

AsSiSe

Elements Which Can Precipitate Or Have Limited Solubility

AlMnTi
BaNbTa
CrPbW
HfSbZr
MoSn

ICM40B - 49 Elements by Four-Acid Digestion / ICP-AES and ICP-MS

LIMITSLIMITSLIMITS
Ag0.02ppm-10ppmK0.01%-15%Sn0.3ppm-0.1%
Al0.01%-15%La0.1ppm-1%Sr0.5ppm-1%
As1ppm-1%Li1ppm-1%Ta0.05ppm-1%
Ba1ppm-1%Lu0.01ppm-0.1%Tb0.05ppm-1%
Be0.1ppm-0.25%Mg0.01%-15%Te0.05ppm-0.1%
Bi0.04ppm-1%Mn2ppm-1%Th0.2ppm-1%
Ca0.01%-15%Mo0.05ppm-1%Ti0.01%-15%
Cd0.02ppm-1%Na0.01%-15%Tl0.02ppm-1%
Ce0.05ppm-0.1%Nb0.1ppm-0.1%U0.05ppm-1%
Cs5ppm-0.1%Ni0.5ppm-1%V2ppm-1%
Cr1ppm-1%P50ppm-15%W0.1ppm-1%
Co0.1ppm-1%Pb0.5ppm-1%Y0.1ppm-1%
Cu0.5ppm-1%Rb0.2ppm-1%Yb0.1ppm-0.1%
Fe0.01%-15%S0.01%-5%Zn1ppm-1%
Ga0.1ppm-0.05%Sb0.05ppm-1%Zr0.5ppm-1%
Hf0.02ppm-0.05%Sc0.5ppm-1%
In0.02ppm-0.05%Se2ppm-0.1%

The following elements can be added to the above package:
Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, Nd, Pr, Sm

HAS40B - Hydride Elements by Four-Acid Digestion / Hydride AAS

LIMITS
SeleniumSe0.2ppm-1000ppm
TelluriumTe0.5ppm-1000ppm

AAS42S - Four-Acid, (Hydrofluoric, Perchloric, Hydrochloric and Nitric Acid) Dissolution to Quantify Major Element Concentrations. AAS Finish

LIMITSLIMITSLIMITS
Ag5ppm-500ppmCr50ppm-5%Pb20ppm-2.5%
As0.025%-5%Cu10ppm-50%Sb100ppm-2%
Bi50ppm-5000ppmFe0.01%-40%V50ppm-5%
Ca0.01%-40%Mn10ppm-5%Zn10ppm-5%
Cd5ppm-5000ppmMo20ppm-5%
Co20ppm-2.5%Ni10ppm-5%

ICP42S - Four-Acid, (Hydrofluoric, Perchloric, Hydrochloric and Nitric Acid) Dissolution to Quantify Major Element Concentrations. ICP-AES Finish

LIMITSLIMITSLIMITS
Ag5ppm-250ppmFe250ppm-100%Pb25ppm-2.5%
AI250ppm-40%K0.1%-40%Sb10ppm-2%
As20ppm-2.5%Li5ppm-2500ppmSn20ppm-2%
Bi50ppm-2.5%Mg50ppm-40%Ta50ppm-2.5%
Ca0.01%-40%Mn20ppm-10%Ti20ppm-5%
Cd5ppm-2%Mo20ppm-2.5%V5ppm-2.5%
Co10ppm-2.5%Na100ppm-40%Zn10ppm-5%
Cr20ppm-5%Ni20ppm-2.5%Zr10ppm-5%
Cu10ppm-2.5%P0.01%-25%

AAS43B - Four-Acid (Hydrofluoric, Perchloric, Hydrochloric and Nitric Acid) with Higher Elemental Concentrations. AAS Finish

LIMITSLIMITSLIMITS
Ag50ppm-4%Cr0.03%-40%Mo0.02%-40%
Al0.1%-100%Cu0.01%-100%Na0.01%-50%
As0.02%-40%Fe0.02%-100%Ni0.01%-50%
Bi0.05%-4%K0.01%-50%Pb0.01%-40%
Ca0.01%-50%Mg0.01%-50%Sb0.05%-10%
Cd50ppm-4%Mn0.01%-40%Zn0.01%-100%
Co0.01%-2.5%

SGS has a unique depth and breadth of expertise and experience to help guide your analytical method selection and give you confidence in your analytical results. Call us today to discover more.

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