Evaluating the presence of titanium in XIX-century Brazilian steels by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence

• Ores and products from the XIX Century Ipanema Ironworks were analyzed by EDXRF.
• Ti and P detection improved by the use of Cr-tube instead of W-tube.
• Detection improved by using detector with multilayer, instead of Zr, collimator.
• High Ti and P contents were found in ores and products from Ipanema.
• Ipanema ores were found to be very heterogeneous.

Ores, pig iron and steel pieces from the XIX Century ironworks Royal St. John of Ipanema Iron Foundry (Real Fábrica de Ferro São João do Ipanema), in Iperó, Brazil, were analyzed by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy, with the aim of investigating the presence of deleterious elements as Ti and P in the minerals and in the resulting products. Analytical modifications made in order to improve the detection limits for Ti and P are discussed. Both elements were found in the raw material and in the products, but large differences in chemical composition were found in different samples or regions of samples.