Fusion, of samples

Simple crucibles of nickel, iron, silver, and gold are used as containers for the high-temperature fusion of samples that are not soluble in aqueous reagents. Attack by both the atmosphere and the contents may cause these crucibles to suffer mass changes. Moreover, such attack will contaminate the sample with species derived from the crucible. The crucible whose products will offer the least interference in subsequent steps of the analysis should be used. 

First of all. Chapter 5 was extended to include more on preliminary tests, dissolution and fusion of samples. This will help users who wish to tackle real samples - industrial, agricultural, environmental, etc. 

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