The determination of tin in tin ores and concentrates by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame

Tin in tin ores and concentrates can be determined by atomic absorption measurement in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. Solutions are prepared by heating the samples with ammonium iodide and dissolving the resulting tin iodide in dilute hydrochloric acid. Calibrating solutions contain ammonium iodide and hydrochloric acid at approximately the concentrations present in the sample solutions. The method has a limit of detection of 0.02% tin in the sample and is suitable for application to geochemical prospecting samples. The results are similar to those obtained by standard chemical methods.