Overview
ISO 9682-1:2009 specifies a flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) method for the determination of manganese mass fraction in iron ores. The method applies to natural iron ores, concentrates and agglomerates (including sinter) in the range 0.01 % to 2.5 % Mn. It defines sample preparation, reagents, apparatus, calibration and reporting requirements for routine laboratory analysis.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Analytical principle: Aspirate prepared test solutions into a dinitrogen oxide/acetylene flame and measure manganese absorbance versus calibration solutions.
- Applicable concentration range: 0.01 % to 2.5 % Mn in iron ore materials.
- Sample preparation:
- Use a laboratory sample of −100 µm (or −160 µm for ores with combined water/oxidizable compounds).
- Prepare predried test samples (dry at 105 °C ±2 °C).
- Test portions typically ≈0.5 g, analysed in duplicate.
- Decomposition methods:
- Alkali fusion (Na2CO3 / Na2B4O7) followed by dissolution in HCl, or
- Acid attack with HCl/HNO3, silica dehydration, HF/H2SO4 treatment and fusion as required.
- Reagents and standards: Specifies analytical-grade reagents (HCl, HNO3, HF, H2SO4, Na2CO3, Na2B4O7) and preparation of manganese stock, calibration and background solutions.
- Instrumentation criteria:
- FAAS equipped with N2O/acetylene burner.
- Minimum sensitivity: absorbance of highest calibration solution ≥ 0.27.
- Linearity and stability performance limits defined for calibration graphs and repeated measurements.
- Example instrument settings (guideline): Mn hollow cathode lamp 5 mA, wavelength 279.5 nm.
- Quality control:
- Run blank tests and a certified reference material (CRM) in each batch.
- Perform independent duplicate determinations and acceptance checks per Annex A.
- Safety: Warns about hazardous materials and operations (flame gases, HF, acids); users must follow safety and regulatory rules.
Applications
- Routine quality control and assay of iron ore and concentrates.
- Metallurgical process monitoring (blast furnace feed, sinter quality).
- Trade, certification and laboratory reporting of manganese content for technical and commercial specifications.
- Analytical method for research and inter-laboratory comparisons.
Who should use this standard
- Analytical laboratories in mining and metallurgical companies
- Quality assurance teams and process control engineers
- Mineral assay labs and contract testing facilities
- Standards bodies and auditors verifying manganese assays
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 9682-1:2009, manganese determination, iron ores, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, FAAS, manganese content, iron ore analysis, sample preparation, alkali fusion, calibration.