INFLUENCE OF HIGH-ENERGY BALL-MILLING ON CARBOTHERMIC REDUCTION OF ILMENITE

A systematic study of the effect of milling conditions on the low temp erature carbothermic reduction of ilmenite has been carried out. It wa s found that after ball milling of the ilmenite-carbon mixture at room temperature, the mineral ilmenite was reduced by carbon to rutile and metallic iron during a subsequent low temperature annealing (760 degr ees C for 30 min). Longer milling time results in a lower reduction te mperature and a higher reduction rate. Higher milling intensity leads to a lower reduction temperature and a lower activation energy. This e nhancing effect of ball milling mainly results from the intimate mixin g and large contact area between ilmenite and carbon produced by ball milling. (C) 1997 The Institute of Materials.