  Aims: We test the hypothesis that the pulsations in sdB stars are correlated
with the surface abundances of iron-group elements. Any correlation might
explain why, when given two spectroscopically similar stars, one will pulsate
while the other will not. Methods: We have obtained high-resolution ultraviolet
spectra two pulsating and three non-pulsating sdB stars using the Space
Telescope Imaging Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. We
determined abundances for 25 elements including the iron group and even heavier
elements such as tin and lead using LTE curve-of-growth and spectrum synthesis
techniques. Results: We find no clear correlation between pulsations and metal
abundances, and we comment on the resulting implications, including whether it
is possible to determine the difference between a pulsating and a non-pulsating
sdB spectroscopically. In addition to the main goal of our observations, we
have also investigated the effect of supersolar metallicity on fundamental
parameter determination, possible trends with iron abundance, and the
hypothesis that weak winds may be selectively removing elements from the
stellar envelopes. These effects provide challenges to stellar atmosphere
modelling and diffusion models for sdB stars.
