Samples Containing Titanium

Minerals and Ores

One gram of the ore is treated with 10 to 50 mL of a mixture of sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids (1:5), a few drops of HNO₃ added, and the solution evaporated to fumes of sulfuric to expel the silica as the volatile H₂SiF₆ (excess HF is also expelled). If a residue remains upon dissolving with water containing a little HF (or dilute nitric or dilute sulfuric of HF is not tolerated easily) it is filtered and fused with K₂S₂O₇ (potassium pyrosulfate - see above method for oxides).

The ore may be fused with a 20:1 ratio of sodium carbonate to sample in a Pt crucible. Fusion takes place at 1000 °C and should be swirled until the melt is clear. The fuseate can be dissolved in a 1:1:1 HF/HNO₃/H₂0 mixture and then diluted with water. The other popular fusion method for ores is the pyrosulfate method described under the Oxides section above.

Was this helpful?  Tell a Friend | Let us know