A general method for quantitative spectrochemical analysis is presented. In this method the powdered sample is mixed with a great excess of buffer material and pressed into a briquette. The briquette is placed in the cup of the sample electrode and arced with a direct current of 10 Amp. The buffer is composed of 12% LiF and 88% graphite by weight. The total sample concentrations used in the briquettes are 1% 0.1%, 0.01%, so principal and trace elements can be analysed. The minimum amount of sample needed 0is 1.5 mg. The method can be used for a great diversity of sample materials. Results are presented for a number of BCS and NBS standard samples