Titanomagnetite ore specific weight: density and weight

Titanomagnetite ores are natural formations containing ore-forming minerals and various additional inclusions. The main minerals of titanomagnetite ores are:

• magnetite Fe3O4;

• titanomagnetite Fe2+(Fe3+,Ti)2O4;

• ilmenite FeTiO3;

• various silicates.

Titanomagnetite and magnetite have pronounced magnetic properties; ilmenite is usually much less magnetic, so ore beneficiation takes differences in magnetic susceptibility into account.

These ores are classified depending on composition. The main types are:

• massive ores, consisting of magnetite grains with plate-like inclusions of ilmenite and titanomagnetite;

• disseminated ores, consisting of titanomagnetite and magnetite inclusions distributed more or less evenly within silicates.

From the standpoint of ore development, massive ores are naturally richer, because the content of the main useful minerals in them, iron and titanium, significantly exceeds that of disseminated ores. Predominantly iron and predominantly titanium ores are also distinguished.

Main Minerals of Titanomagnetite Ore

Titanomagnetite is a titanium-bearing variety of magnetite or a solid solution based on it. It contains titanium oxides in addition to iron, as well as various impurities such as vanadium, aluminum, germanium and others. The mineral is black, granular or represented by octahedral crystals.

Ilmenite is a black mineral with a characteristic brown streak and metallic luster. It forms plate-like crystals and occurs as granular masses or solid accumulations. Compared with magnetite, it is usually much less magnetic under normal conditions.

Magnetite, or magnetic iron ore, is an opaque black mineral with metallic or greasy luster; samples with matte luster also occur. It is a strong ferromagnet capable of changing compass readings.

Composition and Deposits of Titanomagnetite Ores

The chemical composition of titanomagnetite ores can be very diverse. In addition to the main components, the ore may contain silicon, vanadium, aluminum, chromium, magnesium, calcium, cobalt, sulfur, nickel, arsenic and even rare tantalum, platinum, gold, copper, niobium and other elements.

Vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite ores are important for industrial development. They form in ultrabasic and basic rocks and are characterized by high vanadium and titanium content. The largest reserves of this industrial ore type are in China, Russia, Canada, Norway, South Africa and the United States; fairly rich deposits are also found in Finland and Brazil. Sandy deposits of titanomagnetite ores have been found in Australia, India and some coastal countries of the African continent.

Weight and Use of Titanomagnetite Ores

Different deposits have different ore composition and physical characteristics. For dense mineral components of titanomagnetite ore, a practical reference range is about 4.8-5.3 g/cm³. The bulk density of crushed ore can be lower because of voids between pieces, moisture and particle-size distribution. Specific weight values of the main components are shown in the table.

Titanomagnetite deposits are developed to extract Fe, Ti, V and a number of associated useful minerals, including precious and rare metals.