This paper describes the use of palladium salt as chemical modifier for the determination of silicon by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. It is found that the optimal atomization temperature of silicon appeared to be flat above 2500-degrees-C and that the sensitivity was significantly improved in the presence of palladium. The method was validated by the analysis of National Bureau of Standards (now National Institute for Standards and Technology) Standard Reference Materials 361, 362 and 363 Low Alloy Steels.