Analysis of F, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Fe, Ti, K and Ca in Cyanite Ores by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

The analysis of cyanite ores usually uses the alkali fusion system and each component employs various analytical methods such as weight, capacity, colorimetric determination, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and ion selective electrode method. This method not only leads to lower results because of the incomplete fusion of ores, but also has a long term analysis procedure and complicated operation for refactory cyanite ore samples containing corundum and rutile, which renders it ineffective in meeting the needs of geological tests. The glass fusion method to prepare samples and establish an analysis method by using X-ray Fluorescent Spectrometry (XRF) to simultaneously determine the major elements in the cyanite ore is discussed and presented. The working curve was obtained by using various ores standard materials and self-made cyanite management samples containing many ore components. The determination conditions such as the glass fusion method's dilution ratio, ore fusion temperature and the effect to the element F were optimized. The chosen sample and the mixed solvent of lithium tetraborate and lithium metaborate were melted with dilution ratio of 1:10 at the temperature of 1050℃. The results by XRF coincide with the determination values used in the chemical analysis method. The method detection limit is lower than 0.05% and the method precision degree (RSD,n=7) is lower than 4.5%. This method has easy operation and good reproducibility and is accurate and reliable. The problem for the ore fusion method for refractory samples has been overcome and problems arising when using traditional method such as it being time consuming, wasteful of materials and unable to simultaneous determine all target elements have been solved.

Keywords

• cyanite ore
• fluorine
• major elements
• glass fusion sampling
• x-ray fluorescent spectrometry