Sintering Characteristics of Titanium Containing Iron Ores

The effect of Ti-oxide on the sintering behaviour of iron ore has been studied by doping pure TiO2 to a sinter blend in laboratory tests. The results showed a considerable effect of TiO2 on sinter strength, where the tumble index increased with increasing TiO2% (up to 2.0%). However, doping more than 2.0% TiO2 to the sinter blend decreased its strength. The melting point of the sinter was also affected by increasing the TiO2 content, indicating a possible change in the coke consumption during industrial-scale sintering of Ti-bearing ores. Optical and electron microscopy studies of sinter structures confirmed a general improvement in the overall pore structure and sinter melt by increasing TiO2 content of the sinter blend up to 2.0%. An important feature of the sinter structure was the observation of perovskite phase formation and an increase in the volume fraction of this phase obtained by increasing TiO2. The formation of this perovskite phase was considered as an important reason for the reduction of the sinter melting point. Also, doping TiO2 to the sinter mix resulted in stabilizing and increasing the volume fraction of the larnite phase in the sinter structure.