Rational analysis of magnetite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite in sulfide ores with Geiger-counter X-ray diffractometer

Abstract

It is difficult to determine magnetite in sulfide ores by the usual method of chemical analysis. A structure analysis of Yanahara and Kune of copper-containing pyrite by the use of an X-ray diffractometer has been made by the authors, and the quantitative determination of magnetite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite by the use of an X-ray diffractometer has been investigated. By using X-rays from the Kα-ray of Co, and with sodium_chloride as an internal standard, a simultaneous determination of magnetite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite was carried out. The particle size of the sample was studied by the use of an electron-microscope, and it was found that pulverization to several microns size was sufficient for magnetite and chalcopyrite; but pyrite at this size showed a poor reproducibility, and it was necessary to be pulverized to below 0.x micron.The reproducibilities were ±5%, and the results showed good agreement with those of chemical analysis and with values estimated from magnetic separation.