Abstract

Various aspects related to the manufacture, purity and tanning use of iron (III) chloride prepared from titaniferous iron ores were examined. The physical upgrading of the mineral was studied and the resulting concentrated fraction was digested with hydrochloric acid. Those cations which are dissolved together with the iron (III) thus, possibly altering the tanning quality of the prepared solution, were determined. Undesirable cations were eliminated by means of simple operations. The tanning properties of the prepared solution were evaluated by tanning tests. Characterization of the tanned leather was carried out by means of physicomechanical and chemical tests. In the process proposed, the iron (III) chloride was obtained as a minimum cost by-product of an extractive metallurgy process.