The determination of tin in steels by solvent extraction followed by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract

A method is described for the determination of 0·001 to 0·25 per cent. of tin in irons and steels. The tin from a 1-g sample of metal is extracted from an aqueous solution, which is 0·5 M in both hydrochloric acid and thiocyanate and 8 per cent. w/v in ascorbic acid, into isobutyl methyl ketone. The organic phase is concentrated to a small volume by evaporation and diluted to 10 ml. The tin content of this solution is determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry with a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. Good results were obtained for the determination of tin in twelve B.C.S. irons and steels. The limit of detection was 0·001 per cent. of tin.