Determination of tin in ores, iron, steel and non-ferrous alloys by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry after separation by extraction as the iodide.

A simple and moderately rapid method for determining 0.001% or more of tin in ores, concentrates and tailings, iron, steel and copper-, zinc-, aluminium-, titanium- and zirconium-base alloys is described. After sample decomposition, tin is separated from the matrix elements, except arsenic, by toluene extraction of its iodide from a 3M sulphuric acid-1.5M potassium iodide medium containing tartaric and ascorbic acids. It is finally back-extracted into a nitric-sulphuric acid solution containing hydrochloric acid to prevent the formation of an insoluble tin-arsenic compound and the resultant solution is evaporated to dryness. Tin is subsequently determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry in a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame, at 235.4 nm in a 10% hydrochloric-0.5% tartaric acid medium containing 250 mug of potassium per ml. Co-extracted arsenic does not interfere. Results obtained by this method are compared with those obtained spectrophotometrically with gallein after the separation of tin by iodide extraction.