Titanium and Zirconium Ore Beneficiation

Titanium and zirconium ore are important metallic raw materials in modern industry. Titanium and its alloys possess excellent properties and special functions such as low density, high strength, corrosion resistance, and high temperature resistance, and are widely used in aerospace, chemical, metallurgical, power generation, medical, shipping, and marine resource development. Titanium dioxide is used in coatings, papermaking, pigments, rubber, inks, and synthetic fibers.

Zirconium has good plasticity and corrosion resistance exceeding that of titanium. It can resist corrosion from various concentrations of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and low-concentration sulfuric acid below 100 degrees Celsius. Zirconium and hafnium also have special nuclear properties and excellent radiation resistance.

Industrially valuable titanium deposits can be broadly classified into two categories: magmatic ilmenite deposits and titanium placer deposits. Magmatic ilmenite deposits can be further divided into rutile placer deposits and ilmenite placer deposits based on mineral types. The titanium group elements are relatively reactive metals, mainly forming various complex compound minerals in nature. Titanium is enriched in sedimentary bauxite and laterite, primarily as an associated deposit containing minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, and brookite. Under metamorphic conditions, titanium can be further enriched in titanium-bearing argillaceous rocks, and titanomagnetite in gabbro and diorite can be decomposed to form rutile deposits.

Titanium ore beneficiation equipment and methods mainly include magnetic separation, gravity separation, and flotation. The specific beneficiation method used depends on the properties of the ore; only by employing a suitable method can the desired beneficiation effect be achieved.