Comparison of the quantitative results corrected by fundamental parameter method and difference calibration specimens in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Three kinds of standard specimens, including low-alloy steels (Japanese iron and steel CRM), glass from NIST and Chinese geological reference materials were analyzed by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry as unknown samples. The fundamental parameter method was used to correct the matrix effect and different specimens including pure element specimens and type specimens were employed as calibration samples. The quantitative results were compared in order to study the influence of calibration samples on the accuracy of quantitative results. The study showed that the fundamental parameter method could correct the matrix effects very well and relatively accurate quantitative results could be obtained, corrected by simple specimens, in case of type calibration specimens' absence.