Analysis of sintered products of iron ore fines by flame atomic absorptionspectrometry using a matrix modifier

A very precise and accurate method for chemical analysis of sintered produc ts (from iron ore fines in "pot grate furnace") is discussed. A matrix modi fier/buffer (a mixture of KCl, tartaric acid, HCl and H2SO4) is used to pre vent interference of iron in the determination of calcium and magnesium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Also, an EDTA titration method is rec ommended for calcium and magnesium after separating iron in the form of mix ed oxides by ammonia-ammonium chloride buffer. Statistical data for a serie s of experiments are presented and precision values are found to be compara ble with those of conventional methods used for complex met allurgical prod ucts. For the majority of cases, the agreement between the two methods is e xtremely good. A slight deviation has been noted in a few samples which may be overcome by a more thorough sampling prior to analysis.