MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED CARBOTHERMIC REDUCTION OF ILMENITE

A systematic study of the effect of milling conditions on the low-temp erature carbothermic reduction of the mineral ilmenite has been carrie d out. It was found that after ball milling of an ilmenite-carbon mixt ure at room temperature, the ilmenite was reduced to rutile and metall ic iron during subsequent low-temperature annealing (760 degrees C for 30 minutes). A longer milling time results in a lower reduction tempe rature and a higher reduction rate. Higher milling intensity also lead s to a lower reduction temperature. This enhanced reduction reaction i nduced by ball milling mainly results from the intimate mixing and lar ge contact area between milled ilmenite and carbon particles.