Moessbauer spectroscopic study of a Zambian ilmenite-Hematite ore specimen

Moessbauer spectroscopic study was conducted to identify the phases constituting products of a Zambian ilmenite ore sample. Spectra of the ore sample as received indicates that it is a solid solution of of ilmenite (62%/w) and hematite (38%/w). Spectra of the ore oxidized in the 873-1473 K temperature range at different periods of time reveal that: (i) at temperature below 1173 K, hematite and titanium dioxide are major solid phases; (ii) at 1173K < T < 1473K, a third phase besides hematite and titanium dioxide appears and is a product of reaction of hematite and titanium dioxide; and (iii) at T < 1473K, the pseudo-brookite is the sole major phase. The phase transformations of the ilmenite ore sample upon oxidation at high temperature is discussed. (author)., 13 refs., 3 figs