Influence of high energy ball milling on carbothermic reduction of ilmenite

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