{"id":49026,"date":"2026-11-03T12:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T11:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.instrument-solutions.com\/product-news\/icp-sample-preparation-without-hydrofluoric-acid-the-benefits-of-electrical-fusion.html"},"modified":"2026-11-03T12:27:08","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T11:27:08","slug":"icp-sample-preparation-without-hydrofluoric-acid-the-benefits-of-electrical-fusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.instrument-solutions.com\/en\/product-news\/icp-sample-preparation-without-hydrofluoric-acid-the-benefits-of-electrical-fusion.html","title":{"rendered":"ICP Sample Preparation Without Hydrofluoric Acid: The Benefits of Electrical Fusion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Is it difficult to fully dissolve hard-to-digest samples without using hydrofluoric acid (HF)?<\/h2>\n

For many silicate-rich and refractory matrices, fusion offers an attractive alternative to conventional acid digestion. The sample is completely decomposed at high temperatures and then dissolved for analysis by ICP-OES or ICP-MS.<\/p>\n

Complete and reproducible digestion is essential for reliable ICP results. When acid digestion fails to completely decompose a complex matrix, elements may be underestimated and reproducibility may decrease. Electrical fusion combines complete digestion with speed, reproducibility, and automation.<\/p>\n

Complete Digestion of Difficult Matrices<\/h2>\n

In borate fusion, the sample is mixed with a lithium borate flux at high temperatures. This allows even matrices that are difficult to digest to be completely broken down. After dissolving the resulting melt, a clear and homogeneous solution is obtained for further analysis by ICP-OES or ICP-MS.<\/p>\n

Borate fusion is particularly well-suited for, among other things, geological samples and ores, silicates and aluminosilicates, ceramic materials, industrial minerals, and refractory oxides.<\/p>\n

Whereas acid or microwave digestion of such samples sometimes results in incomplete digestion, fusion is designed to achieve complete decomposition of the matrix. This contributes to better element recovery, higher reproducibility, and reliable quantification.<\/p>\n

Less Dependent on HF<\/h2>\n

For the digestion of silicate-rich samples, for example, hydrogen fluoride (HF) is regularly used in conventional acid digestion. The use of HF places high demands on safety, laboratory procedures, and the choice of materials. HF also requires extra attention in ICP analysis due to the chemical resistance of components in the sample introduction system.<\/p>\n

Borate fusion can offer an alternative for many of these matrices that does not require HF. Furthermore, fusion can simplify the workflow because complex combinations of acids and multiple digestion steps can often be avoided.<\/p>\n

Why electric fusion?<\/h2>\n

Fusion can also be performed in a muffle furnace, but in that case, heating, mixing, and processing the melt are largely dependent on manual operations. An electric fusion fluxer automates a large part of this process and ensures precisely controlled and reproducible conditions.<\/p>\n

The main advantages for ICP sample preparation:<\/p>\n