ASTM E246 Iron Determination Testing in Iron Ores & Related Materials
The determination of the total iron content is the primary means for establishing the commercial value of iron ores used in international trade. The standard test methods for the determination of iron in iron ores and other materials are described in the ASTM E246 standard. The values are reported in SI units.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Overview
ASTM E246 provides standard test methods for determining the total iron content in iron ores, concentrates, sinters, pellets, and related ferrous raw materials by titrimetric analysis. Accurate iron determination is the primary quality parameter for iron ore valuation, process control in blast-furnace and direct-reduction operations, and compliance with commercial trading specifications.
Iron content directly determines the commercial value of ore in international trade and the efficiency of steelmaking processes, making ASTM E246 analytical methods essential for producers, traders, and consumers of iron ore worldwide.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
ASTM E246 evaluates:
- Total iron content (Fe, wt%) in iron ores and related materials
- Methods: potassium dichromate titrimetry after stannous chloride reduction
- Applicable to hematite, magnetite, and goethite ores and concentrates
- Also applicable to sinter, pellets, and DRI products
Applications
- Iron ore grade determination for commercial trading
- Blast furnace burden preparation quality control
- Pelletizing plant feed and product analysis
- Direct reduction (DRI/HBI) product certification
- Steel scrap and pig iron iron content verification
Benefits
- Highly accurate and reproducible Fe determination
- Directly tied to the ore’s commercial value and pricing
- Standard method recognized by major international trading contracts
- Applicable to a wide range of iron-bearing raw materials
- Supports ISO 2597 harmonized with ASTM E246 for international trade
Test Process
Sample Dissolution
ore sample (~0.5 g) is dissolved in hydrochloric acid; the solution is heated to complete dissolution and oxidizing agents are removed.
1Reduction
All iron is reduced to Fe²⁺ using stannous chloride (SnCl₂) at boiling temperature, with care to avoid over-reduction; excess SnCl₂ is oxidized by mercuric chloride.
2Titration
The Fe²⁺ solution is titrated with standardized potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) or cerimetric titrant to the potentiometric or indicator endpoint; volume consumed is recorded.
3Calculation & Reporting
Iron content (wt%) is calculated from the titrant volume, normality, and sample mass; duplicate results are checked for precision before reporting.
4Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Materials | Iron ores, concentrates, sinter, pellets |
| Sample Mass | ~0.5 g |
| Precision (repeatability) | ±0.05 wt% Fe |
| Fe Range | 20–75 wt% Fe |
Instrumentation Used for Testing
- Analytical balance (±0.1 mg)
- Potentiometric autotitrator or burette
- Standardized K₂Cr₂O₇ titrant (0.1 N)
- Hot plate and acid digestion vessel
- Calibration reference materials (certified iron ore standards)
Results and Deliverables
- Total Fe content (wt%) with replicate precision
- Comparison to specification or commercial contract requirements
- Calibration and standardization records
- Certificate of analysis (for commercial shipments)
- Full ASTM E246 analytical report
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Frequently Asked Questions
Iron ore is priced per dry metric ton unit (dmtu) of iron content. A 0.1 wt% error in Fe determination at commercial scale (100,000 tonne cargo) represents significant financial value. ASTM E246 and ISO 2597 methods are specified in sales contracts as the definitive analytical arbitration methods.
SnCl₂ reduces all ferric iron (Fe³⁺) to ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) before titration. This ensures that the total iron — both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ present in the ore — is included in the titration measurement, giving accurate total iron rather than just the ferrous fraction.
Excess SnCl₂ (a reducing agent) would consume part of the K₂Cr₂O₇ titrant, causing a positive bias in the iron result. Excess SnCl₂ is oxidized by addition of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂), which reacts selectively with Sn²⁺ to form insoluble Hg₂Cl₂ that does not interfere with the subsequent Fe²⁺ titration.
Yes. The acid dissolution and SnCl₂ reduction steps dissolve both hematite (Fe₂O₃) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) completely and reduce all iron to Fe²⁺ regardless of the original oxidation state, making ASTM E246 applicable to all common iron ore mineralogy types.
Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) from NIST (SRM 690–695 series), AMSA, or BRAMMER with certified Fe values traceable to primary standards are used for method verification. Laboratory performance is also checked by participation in round-robin proficiency testing programs.
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