Integrated XRD, EPMA and XRF study of ilmenite and titania slag used in pigment production

Ilmenite from IREL, Chatrapur, Orissa and its thermally activated products such as metallized ilmenite and titania rich slag were characterized to find out its suitability for the production of synthetic rutile (SR). Several complementary methods like XRD, EPMA and XRF were implemented to find out the gradual phase and compositional changes from feed to the product. Iron titanium oxide (Fe3Ti3O10), anatase (TiO2), metallic iron (Fe) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) were observed in metallized ilmenite and titania rich slag. On increasing the degree of metallization from 62% to 85% both iron and titanium exhibit distinct separation and appear as individual laminae. On plasma treatment metallized ilmenite converts to titania rich phase (slag) enclosing small iron globules. The titania rich slag if further heated in a furnace at 750 degrees C, small pores/cracks develop on its surface which facilitates easy leaching. Such thermal activation also favours removal of iron and other impurities of synthetic rutile. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.