Overview
ISO/TR 16043:2015 - "Iron ores - Determination of chlorine content - X-ray fluorescence spectrometric method" is a Technical Report that describes a wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) procedure for measuring total chlorine in iron ores. The method covers chlorine concentrations from 0.027 % to 1.15 % and is applicable irrespective of iron ore mineralogy. It was published as a Technical Report (not a full International Standard) because inter-laboratory precision was judged insufficient for trade purposes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Analytical principle: Preparation of fused borate glass discs (fusion/casting) to remove particle-size effects; measurement by wavelength-dispersive XRF.
- Sample preparation: Fusion of test portion with a borate flux (Flux A or Flux B) to form glass discs; strict control of flux contamination and use of the same flux batch for calibration, blanks and samples.
- Calibration and reagents: Calibration based on linear relationship between chlorine concentration and fluorescent intensity; chlorine introduced via sodium chloride stock solution (13.2 g/L). Use of high-purity reagents (e.g., Fe2O3 pre-treatment at 1 000 °C where specified).
- Apparatus and materials: Platinum (or Pt-alloy) crucibles and moulds, analytical balances (4 decimal places), conventional or high-frequency furnaces or commercial disc-making machines. Fluxes dried at 500 °C and stored in desiccators.
- Measurement details: Applicable to both simultaneous and sequential WDXRF instruments; background correction (net line intensities), selection of analytical lines/crystals/collimators and counting times are described.
- Quality and precision: The report includes guidance on repeatability, between-laboratory precision, background equivalent concentration (BEC) acceptability, trueness checks and reporting. The method is explicitly not intended for trade due to its precision limitations.
Applications and users
ISO/TR 16043:2015 is useful for:
- Analytical laboratories performing chlorine determination in iron ores (QA/QC and internal control).
- Mining and metallurgical companies monitoring feedstock composition and potential chlorine-related impacts on downstream processing.
- Instrument manufacturers and method developers validating WDXRF procedures for chlorides in mineral matrices.
- Research and laboratory personnel needing a documented WDXRF protocol for total chlorine (complements ISO 9516-1 and ISO 9517).
Related standards
- ISO 9517 - Determination of water-soluble chloride in iron ores (complements range and applicability).
- ISO 9516-1 - Related iron ore analysis methods (context within ISO/TC 102 work).
Keywords: ISO/TR 16043:2015, iron ores, chlorine determination, X-ray fluorescence, wavelength-dispersive XRF, fused glass discs, borate flux, chlorine content, analytical method.
Open preview (PDF)Iron ores — Determination of chlorine content — X-ray fluorescence spectrometric method
