Characterization of magnetic content from Puntaru Beach iron sand

Abstract

Natural iron sand is a magnetic material that has considerable potential as a source of iron ore (Fe). The presence of iron sand in nature is mixed with other non-magnetic material so that the sample preparation is done. The iron sand samples obtained were extracted using an external magnet to separate magnetic and non magnetic materials. Extracted magnetic material is crushed then washed with distilled water. Iron sand samples that have been washed with distilled water are characterized by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) knowing the types of elements contained in iron sand, and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results of the characterization of Puntaru iron sand using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) showed that the Puntaru iron sand was dominated by Fe (77.80%), Ti (8.51%), Al (5.47%) and Si (3.76%)) and several other minor elements. The highest percentage of Fe element was confirmed as iron oxide in the form of Fe3O4 (magnetite). The results of the analysis of magnetic properties show that Puntaru's iron sand is soft magnetic supported by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) analysis data which gives values of Ms 59.9 emu.g-1, Hc 0.02 Tesla and Mr 15 emu.g-1.