Determination of trace impurities in windshield glass by ICP-MS

The application of ICP-MS for the determination of trace impurities in windshield glass was examined in order to discriminate glass fragments from different origins. About 10 mg of fragments were accurately weighed and dissolved in a mixture of 0.5 ml of HF and 0.5 ml of HClO4 by heating in a microwave oven for 2 hours. After dissolution was completed, 2 ml of HNO3 and 0.1 ml of a Pd solution (1000 mu g/ml) as an internal standard were added, followed by dilution to 25 ml with deionized distilled water. Seven elements (Co, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, La and Ce) were found to be useful for discrimination. These elements in NIST 612 (Trace Elements in Glass) could be determined with an RSD less than 3.9%, and the obtained values were in good agreement with both the certified and reference values, except for Co and Zr. The proposed method was applied to 21 kinds of windshield glass taken from different automobiles. Of 210 pairs among 21 samples, 209 pairs were distinguishable.