9 ®

METHOD OF OBTAINING TIN.

METHOD OF OBTAINING TIN.

In order to obtain tin from its ore, a mere fusion of it, withpounded charcoal, is sufficient. Or, a certain quantity of theore is first freed from sulphur and arsenic by torrifaction ; afterwhich it is mixed with equal parts of potash, one half of commonresin, and two parts of black flux; the mixture is then fused ina crucible covered with charcoal, by means of which the metalis recovered in its metallic state. In order to obtain pure tin,let the tin obtained before be rapidly dissolved in strong nitricacid with heat. Thus some of the metals it may contain will beheld in solution, and others become oxidated, but muriatic, ornitro-muriatic acid will, on digestion, take up these oxids, andafter sufficient ablution, leave that of tin, which may afterwardsbe reduced by mixing it when pulverized with double its weightof a flux formed of equal parts of pitch and borax, or resin andborax, and putting it into a covered crucible, lined with charcoal,which must be placed in a forge, and strongly heated for aquarter of an hour.