Rapid technique for distillation of methyl borate for ICP atomic-emission spectrometric determination of boron in steel.

The analysis time for determination of boron in steel can be remarkably shortened by simultaneous distillation of methyl borate and evaporation of the distillate for analysis by ICP atomic-emission spectrometry. Methyl borate, distilled with a large quantity of methanol, is collected in 4% sodium hydroxide solution heated in a water-bath at 90 degrees. As the boiling point of the mixture of absorption solution and methanol is lower than 90 degrees, the solvent mixture is easily evaporated. The limit of detection corresponds to 35 ng of boron in 0.5 g of steel.