Do You Need Certified Reference Materials For ICP Applications?

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectroscopy is an analysis technique used to understand a sample’s chemical composition. ICP benefits a range of applications in the medical industry and supports practical uses in archaeological processes and forensic investigations. In this blog post, we will look in more detail at whether or not certified reference materials (CRMs) are needed in ICP applications.

What Are Certified Reference Materials?

Certified reference materials (CRMs) are standards used to check the metrological traceability and the quality of products. They are often called controls, as well as standards, and are also used to calibrate instruments and validate analytical methods. It is worth noting that similar materials can easily be confused with CRMs, but they are, in fact, different. These are reference materials (RMs) and standard reference materials (SRMs).

The key differences between the three materials are as follows:

CRMs are validated and accompanied by a certificate. SRMs are also validated and given a certificate, but they also meet additional certification criteria. RMs have been established for use in specific applications but do not meet certification requirements. However, RMs should not be discounted as they have several benefits for many applications.

Are Certified Reference Materials Required For ICP Applications?

The main application of ICP is for the atomic determination of trace elements in liquid samples and analyzing over 70 common elements. The instruments and materials must be of the highest standard to carry out the analysis accurately and effectively. Like many other scientific instruments, equipment used for ICP must also be calibrated. The calibration process can only be accurate if the reference materials used have been validated through a metrological procedure. 

The most accurate way to calibrate the instrument is by using CRMs; however, if reference materials have been characterized and have a high level of traceability, they may also be suitable for use. 

Solutions With XRF Scientific

By using materials that have been validated, you are ensuring that your analytical methods and the traceability of a sample are at optimal levels. To guarantee your reference materials are of a high standard and meet your application requirements, choosing an experienced and certified reference materials manufacturer is paramount.

Since 1972, XRF Scientific has been manufacturing products for XRF. We are dedicated to providing outstanding products and a high level of customer service and sharing our expertise. 

XRF Scientific reference materials are available as the following:

Fused Calibration Beads

Available in two standards – single and multi-element, our fused calibration beads are manufactured from CRMs. These beads can be customized to suit your analytical and calibration requirements.

Certified Reference Materials

Typically used for analysis by fire assay or aqua regia digest in the exploration and mining industries and laboratories, certified reference materials are laboratory controls used to determine quality control and quality assurance.

Synthetic Iron Ore Reference Materials

If you need to calculate the composition of your iron ore samples accurately, XRF Scientific’s synthetic iron ore reference materials are the ideal solution. They are manufactured specifically for calibration purposes based on years of experience in geological chemistry.

Are you looking for more information? Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to talk to us about reference materials for ICP applications or any of our other products.