Comparison of two universal techniques of spark source mass spectrography for the analysis of powdered materials

Abstract The efficiency of two universal techniques of spark source mass spectrography (SSMS), the graphite powder technique (GPT) and the aluminium crucible technique (ACT), are compared. Most emphasis is put on the universality, but other features are also taken into account. To assess the matrix effects and their causes in an objective manner, a statistical evaluation based on the two-way analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) has been carried out. ACT suffers more from matrix effects, but in special cases, e.g. for small sample sizes or to avoid line interferences, it can be recommended after a matrix group-specific calibration.