QUANTIFICATION OF TOTAL IRON IN SAMPLES OF IRON ORE THROUGH THE X-RAY DIFFRACTION TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The following work consists of the development of a method with the purpose of obtaining the percentage of total iron in iron ore samples by means of the X-ray diffraction technique. To achieve this, analyzes were carried out in an X-ray diffractometer and the results quantitatively through specialized software. The variability of the mineralogical and structural characteristics that are present in the iron ore obtained from the different exploitation areas in the mine, cannot be identified with traditional characterization techniques, it is not enough to identify the percentage of total iron as normally has been established, but it is important to determine the crystalline phases where iron is found in nature. This research is descriptive and follows an experimental design. 6 standard samples of iron ore were used. In order to establish a pattern and meet the requirements for the statistical analysis that supported and validated the technique, the analysis of each sample was repeated 5 times. It also showed that the instrument is calibrated. The results obtained demonstrated the feasibility of performing this analysis using the technique in question.