Magnetite
Magnetite
Magnetite, a naturally magnetic iron oxide mineral (Fe₃O₄), is primarily used as a key iron ore in steel production. Its high density makes it valuable for heavy media separation, such as coal washing, while its magnetic properties are utilised in magnets, recording media, and medical applications like MRI contrast agents and drug delivery. It also serves as a catalyst in chemical reactions, helps remove pollutants in environmental treatments, and is used as a pigment, a heat carrier in geothermal energy, and occasionally as a fertiliser additive.
General Formula: Fe₃O₄ (iron(II,III) oxide)
– Primary Components: A mixed oxide of iron in both +2 (ferrous) and +3 (ferric) oxidation states
– Iron Content: Typically Ranging from 62-72% iron by weight
– Colour: Typically black to grey with a metallic or submetallic lustre
– Crystal System: Isometric (cubic)
– Hardness: 5.5 – 6.5 on the Mohs scale
– Specific Gravity: 5.2 – 5.3
Chemical Information
– CAS Number: 1317-61-9 (commonly used to refer to magnetite)
– Chemical Composition: Fe₃O₄, a mixed-valence iron oxide
– Molecular Weight: 231.54 g/mol
– HS Code: 2601.11.00.00 (for iron ores and concentrates, magnetite-based)
Specifications
Typical Properties
| Iron - Fe | 49% |
| Iron(II) oxide - FeO | 4.63% |
| Iron(III) oxide - Fe2O3 | 64.92% |
| Iron - Fe Metal | - - |
| Silicon dioxide - SiO2 | 23.46% |
| Calcium oxide - CaO | 2.67% |
| Magnesium oxide - MgO | 0.41% |
| Aluminium oxide - AL2O3% | 1.37% |
| Manganese(II) oxide - MnO | 0.03% |
| Sulphur - S | 0.01% |
| Phosphorus pentoxide - P2O5 | 0.81% |
| Phosphorus - P | 0.35% |
| Chlorine - Cl | 0.44% |
| Barium Oxide - BaO | Nil |
| Zinc oxide - ZnO | 0.03% |
| Zinc-Zn | 0.02% |
| Titanium dioxide - TiO2 | 0.11% |
| Sodium oxide - Na2O | 0.75% |
| Potassium oxide - K2O | 0.35% |
| Carbon - C | Nil |
| Loss On Ignition - LOI | Gain |
| Moisture | Nil |
