Estimation of metallic iron in rusted sponge-iron: Dissolution of iron oxides by bromine/methanol.

The extent to which a number of iron oxides dissolved in cold and hot 5% bromine/methanol reagent was examined during analysis for metallic iron in the presence of oxides found in partially-rusted sponge-iron. At room temperature there was only slight attack on the oxides, but at the reflux temperature of the lixiviant and over a period of 2 hr, both the oxyhydroxides and oxides were attacked, the oxyhydroxides considerably and the other oxides slightly.