ANALYSIS OF IRON ORE

SAMPLES PREPARED AS
FUSED BEADS
Introduction Instrumentation
This application note shows that the Epsilon 4 - a high-performance Measurements were performed using an Epsilon 4 EDXRF
energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer is fully capable spectrometer, equipped with a 10W, 50 kV rhodium anode X-ray
of analyzing Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, SO3, P2O5, CaO, Mn3O4, MgO, and tube, 6 filters, a helium purge facility, a high-resolution silicon drift
TiO2 in iron ore samples. detector, a spinner and a 10-position removable sample changer.

Application background Measurement procedure

Iron ore is mainly used as a raw material in the steel and cement
industries. Accurate elemental analysis of iron ore samples plays a
very important role in iron ore mine mapping and iron ore pricing.
XRF analysis provides a useful tool for classifying and controlling the
quality of the iron ore composition.
Sample preparation
40 mm diameter beads were prepared by fusing 1 gram iron ore
sample material in 10 grams of flux (Li2B4O7). The bead samples
were put in standard sample holders and loaded in the Epsilon 4.
11 international certified iron ore standards were used to set up
the calibration. Two different measurement conditions were used,
each one optimizing the excitation of a group of elements. These
measurement conditions are given in Table 1.
Figure 1 shows the spectrum obtained for light elements in a CRM
standard.

Table 1. Measurement conditions

Elements kV µA Measurement Medium Filter
time (s)
Ti, Mn, Fe 14 300 60 Air Al-thin
Mg, Al, S, P, S, Ca 7 1400 120 Helium None
Corrected intensity

4 8 12 16 20
SiO2 concentration (wt%)

Figure 1. The spectrum of a CRM standard obtained with 7 kV showing the Figure 2. Calibration graph for SiO2
excellent resolution and the high sensitivity of the detector
Corrected intensity

Corrected intensity
4 8 12 16 20 40 50 60 70 80
CaO concentration (wt%) Fe2O3 concentration (wt%)

Figure 3. Calibration graph for CaO Figure 4. Calibration graph for Fe2O3

Accurate calibration results Precision

The calibration plots shown in Figures 2 to 4 demonstrate the good One sample was measured 20 times consecutively. The average

of this information and we shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for damages in connection with the use of this material. Malvern Panalytical reserves the right to change the content in this material at any time without notice.
Disclaimer: Although diligent care has been used to ensure that the information in this material is accurate, nothing herein can be construed to imply any representation or warranty as to the accuracy, correctness or completeness
correlation between the certified concentrations and the measured concentration and the absolute RMS (1 sigma standard deviation)
intensities. Table 2 presents the RMS of the calibration. are presented in Table 3.

Table 2. The RMS values of the calibration Table 3. Results of the repeatability test
Compound Concentration range K value* RMS* Compound Average concentration RMS
(wt%) (wt%) (wt%) (wt%)
Fe2O3 35.290 - 96.12 0.1477 0.372 Fe2O3 77.235 0.048
SiO2 1.313 - 20 0.2090 0.252 SiO2 8.556 0.015
TiO2 0.04 - 6.33 0.0585 0.022 TiO2 0.174 0.004
CaO 0.04 - 22 0.4068 0.211 CaO 10.864 0.008

Copyright: © 2018 Malvern Panalytical. This publication or any portion thereof may not be copied or transmitted without our express written permission. 9498 707 62311 PN11202
MgO 0.04 - 3.45 0.1444 0.070 MgO 1.027 0.022
Al2O3 0.38 - 10.62 0.1402 0.086 Al2O3 3.399 0.015
Mn3O4 0.056 - 1.41 0.0557 0.0222 Mn3O4 0.699 0.005
P2O5 0.039 - 2.02 0.0659 0.0237 P2O5 0.719 0.005
SO3 0.01 - 0.55 0.0736 0.0248 SO3 0.181 0.004
* RMS (root mean square) and K values are an indication of the quality of the regression. The more
accurate calibrations have the smaller RMS and K values.

Conclusion: The data presented here clearly

demonstrate the suitability of the Epsilon 4 EDXRF
spectrometer for the quantitative analysis of Fe2O3,
Al2O3, SiO2, SO3, P2O5, CaO, Mn3O4, MgO, and TiO2, in
iron ore samples. Accurate and precise results can be
obtained in just 3 minutes.

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