Determination of tin in titanium alloys

Tin-titanium alloys are becoming increasingly important; consequently a good method is needed for the determination of tin in this type of material. In this paper an accurate iodometric procedure is proposed for the determination. The sample is dissolved in sulfuric acid and the titanium oxidized with potassium permanganate. Tartaric acid is added and the tin precipitated with hydrogen, sulfide. The sulfide precipitate is dissolved in a mixture of sulfuric, perchloric and nitric acids and the solution evaporated to fumes of sulfuric acid. Water and hydrochloric acid are added, and the tin is reduced with lead and antimony trichloride and titrated with iodine. A study was made of the interfering elements that might be found in titanium alloys. The effect of antimony trichloride in reducing interference from copper was investigated. The method is recommended for titanium alloys containing 0.05 to 5.0 per cent. tin.