Ilmenite Used As A Source Of Iron In The Production Of Steel And Other Metal

Ilmenite

Ilmenite is a common mineral found in the Earth's crust, composed of iron, titanium, and oxygen. It is named after the Ilmen Mountains in Russia, where it was first discovered. The mineral is an important source of titanium, which is widely used in many industrial applications.

Ilmenite has the chemical formula FeTiO3 and a molecular weight of 151.72 g/mol. It is a black or dark brown mineral with a metallic luster and a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. Ilmenite is a member of the spinel group of minerals, which also includes magnetite, chromite, and hercynite.

 

Ilmenite has a high melting point of around 1600°C and is relatively insoluble in most acids, except for hydrofluoric acid. It has a density of 4.7 to 5.0 g/cm³, which is higher than most other common minerals.

 

The Global Ilmenite Market Size Is Expected To Witness Potential Gains In The Future, And Register A Significant CAGR Of 4.2% Over The Forecast Period (2019 - 2027).

 

Ilmenite is commonly found in igneous rocks, such as gabbro and norite, as well as in metamorphic rocks, such as schist and gneiss. It can also be found in sedimentary deposits, such as beach sands and riverbeds.

 

The primary use of ilmenite is as a source of titanium dioxide, which is used in a wide range of industrial applications. Titanium dioxide is a white pigment that is used in paints, plastics, paper, and other products to provide opacity and brightness. It is also used in the production of titanium metal, which is used in aerospace, automotive, and other high-performance applications.

 

Ilmenite is also used in the production of titanium sponge, which is a porous form of titanium metal that is used in the production of titanium alloys. Titanium alloys are used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace, medical implants, and sports equipment.

 

Ilmenite is also used as a feedstock for the production of synthetic rutile, which is a high-purity form of titanium dioxide that is used in the production of welding rods, pigments, and other specialty applications. Synthetic rutile can be produced by reducing ilmenite with coal or other carbonaceous materials and then treating the resulting material with acid to remove impurities.

 

Ilmenite is also used as a source of iron in the production of steel. Iron is extracted from ilmenite by a process called the Becher process, which involves the reduction of ilmenite with coke and then leaching the resulting material with hydrochloric acid

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