Effects of the shape properties of talc and quartz particles on the wettability based separation processes

Shape properties of talc and quartz particles ground by a laboratory size ball, rod, and autogenous mills were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). More than 100 particles were measured to do the shape analysis of each mill product. The wettability behavior of (gamma(c)) a highly hydrophobic of talc mineral was determined by contact angle measurements and microflotation tests using a contact angle goniometer and EMDEE MicroFLOT test tube, respectively. On the other hand, wettability (gamma(c)) of quartz, which is a highly hydrophilic mineral, was determined by the micro-flotation method only. The results showed that the particles ground by rod mill gave higher flatness and elongation ratio, which meant higher hydrophobicity with lower gamma(c) values in the separations by flotation method. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.