Estimation of Uncertainty Budgets in Analysis of Nickel by ICP-MS and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry with a Glow Discharge

This paper estimates uncertainty budgets in determining the content of impurities of 15 elements (P, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Te, Tl, Pb, Bi) in nickel samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-resolution glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS). It is validated by analyzing a certified standard nickel sample (assessed using Student’s simple t test). The main sources of uncertainty in the results of analysis by two methods, including sample preparation and calibration graph, are presented. The total and expanded uncertainties for the two methods are compared. A nickel alloy of the ZhS6U type is analyzed by the ICP-MS and GDMS methods of industrial melting of and the results are compared with a modified Student’s test.