THE SELECTION OF THE BEST ELEMENTAL VARIABLES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF GLASS SAMPLES

Abstract Neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, flame atomic emission spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry have been employed to measure the absolute concentrations of 22 elements in a group of 49 colourless sheet, container and tableware glasses of refractive index 1.5177-1.5183. The elements determined were: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc, Sr, Th, U and Zn. The data have been examined by cluster analysis and stepwise discriminant analysis and recommendations are made concerning the best elements to determine for the forensic purpose of achieving satisfactory calssification of the samples analysed.