Determination of copper in high-purity tin by reactor neutron activation analysis

For the determination of very low concentrations of copper in tin, an analytical method involving reactor neutron activation was developed whereby the copper activity was separated from the tin matrix by extraction of the Cu(I) cuproin complex in n-amyl alcohol. A new decontamination technique was sought in order to remove the copper contamination present on the tin surface. Pre-irradiation removal of the tin surface combined with post-irradiation etching appeared to be the most efficient.