Novel rapid decomposition and dissolution method for silicates using a mixed potassium metaborate/potassium carbonate flux.
A novel method for the rapid dissolution of fused silicates in mineral acid is described. Fusion with 2.5 g of a KBO(2)-K(2)CO(3) (3:2, w/w) mixture in a platinum crucible at 1000 degrees C will decompose 0.1 g of silicate samples such as basalt rock, glass sand and powdered glass in 10 min, and the cooled fusion cakes can be completely dissolved by 20 ml of 3 N mineral acids such as hydrochloric, nitric and sulfuric acids in less than 1 min at about 50 degrees C. Fusion with 5.0 g of a KBO(2)-K(2)CO(3) (3:2, w/w) mixture can completely decompose 0.1 g of chrome refractory in 20 min and the cooled melt can be dissolved by 80 ml of 3 N hydrochloric or sulfuric acids in less than 30 s.
Yoshikuni
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