Determination of sulphur, phosphorus, magnesium, silicon and aluminium in washing powders by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

A method for preparing and analysing samples of washing powders by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is described. The sample preparation involves the use of an automatic machine for the preparation of fused dilithium tetraborate beads and demonstrates the feasibility of using this technique for difficult samples containing a mixture of organic and inorganic components. The results of the X-ray fluorescence method are compared with those from wet chemical analysis. The determination of total sulphur, phosphorus, silicon, magnesium and aluminium by X-ray fluorescence represents a considerable time saving compared with wet chemical analysis.