Mechanically activated carbothermic reduction of ilmenite

A systematic study of the effect of milling conditions on the low-temperature carbothermic reduction of the mineral ilmenite has been carried out. It was found that after ball milling of an ilmenite-carbon mixture at room temperature, the ilmenite was reduced to rutile and metallic iron during subsequent low-temperature annealing (760 °C for 30 minutes). A longer milling time results in a lower reduction temperature and a higher reduction rate. Higher milling intensity also leads to a lower reduction temperature. This enhanced reduction reaction induced by ball milling mainly results from the intimate mixing and large contact area between milled ilmenite and carbon particles.