Determination method of high-temperature characteristics of iron-ore sintering based on n(Fe2O3)/n(CaO)

The high-temperature characteristics of iron ores play important roles in optimizing ore proportion of sintering,which are tested by using iron-ore fines and analytical reagent CaO as raw materials.Two calculation methods of CaO addition amount based on binary basicity(basicity method)and n(Fe2O3)/n(CaO)(mole ratio method),respectively,were employed to evaluate the liquid phase fluidity(LPF)and the capability of calcium ferrite formation(CCFF)of iron ores.The results show that the rule of LPF of iron ores under the mole ratio method is different from that with basicity method.The LPF measured by basicity method has a linear positive correlation with the SiO2 content,and there is no linear relationship between LPF and Al2O3 content or mass loss on ignition,which are inconsistent with the results of the previous study.And the results of CCFF with low SiO2 content(<3 wt.%)or high SiO2 content(>7 wt.%)based on basicity method cannot reflect the true CCFF.The mole ratio method could successfully solve this problem by reducing the effect of CaO addition amount changes caused by SiO2 content of iron ores.

Ground Magnetic Survey for the Investigation of Iron Ore Deposit at Oke-Aro in Iseyin East, South-Western Nigeria

A ground magnetic survey was carried out to investigate the presence of iron ore at a location (Lat. 7.99883°N to Lat. 7.99933°N, Long. 3.57900°E to Long. 3.57990°E) in Iseyin, Oyo State, South-western Nigeria. Ten magnetic traverses each 100 m long at a separation of 5 m were run West-East. Magnetic intensity was taken at intervals of 10 m along each traverse line using the proton precession magnetometer (G-856 AX). The measured magnetic field data were corrected for drift and were presented as profiles. The profiles were interpreted by calculating the depth to the top of anomalies. The data obtained were used to construct magnetic anomaly maps in 2D and 3D. The magnetic survey results delineated this location into some high and low magnetic field intensity regions. The regions of high magnetic field anomaly indicated the presence of materials with high susceptibility which was suspected to be iron compounds. The quantitative and qualitative analyses on interpretations of field data collected were given, while these results provided values for the total component measurements of ground magnetic anomaly that widely ranged between a maximum positive peak result of 8 nT and to a minimum negative peak result of —6 nT. Using Peter’s half slope technique, depth to the basement was assessed, which actually provided a maximum depth to basement of 6.25 m. From the knowledge of the geology of the area and also, the magnetic survey employed information, therefore, we can finally conclude that, the study area is under laid by geologic structures which favour the accumulation of iron-ore minerals deposit at Oke-Aro area in Iseyin.

Studies on Aluminum-Iron Ore in-Situ Particulate Composite

Discontinuously reinforced aluminium matrix composites are fast emerging as engineering materials and competing with common metals and alloys. They are gaining significant acceptance because of higher specific strength, specific modulus and good wear resistance as compared to ordinary unreinforced alloys. Reinforcing particles or short fibers normally used are silicon carbide and alumina which are added externally. Recently it has been shown that alumina particles can be produced in-situ by reaction with metallic oxides reduced by aluminium. Alumina particles thus produced are dispersed in the aluminium matrix and the elementary metal gives solid solution strengthening of the matrix. In-situ particulate composites in comparison with conventional cast particulate composites produced by external addition promote cleaner interface, eliminates interface incompatibility of the matrices with the reinforcements, help to achieve greater thermodynamic stability of reinforcement particles in the matrix at elevated temperature and also increase the possibility of developing coherency between the matrix and particles formed in-situ. The morphology and the distribution of particles strongly influence the physical and mechanical properties of composites. In the present investigation, iron ore was added to molten aluminium, aluminium-magnesium and aluminium-silicon alloys by vortex method. The iron oxides present in the iron ore are observed to react with aluminium, magnesium resulting in production of Al2O3, MgO and metallic iron which dissolved in liquid aluminium. The composites thus produced were cast into cast iron die. The mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. The dry sliding wear behavior of the cast composites was studied at different loads and different sliding velocities using Pin-On-Disk configuration wear testing machine. The worn surfaces and the wear debris were also analyzed using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope.