Zircon and Rutile

By : Reynald C. Jayawon
MSET-2

Introduction
Zircon and Rutile :
Definition
Properties
Uses
Chemical

Name &
Formula

Zircon and Rutile

Zircon
- is amineralbelonging to the
group ofnesosilicates. Its
chemical name is
zirconium silicateand its
corresponding chemical formula
isZrSiO4.

Properties of ZIRCON
Zircon

is ubiquitous in thecrustof
Earth. It occurs inigneous rocks, in
metamorphic rocksand in
sedimentary rocks. Large zircon
crystals are rare.
Their average size ingraniterocks is
about 0.10.3mm, but they can also
grow to sizes of several centimeters,
especially inpegmatites.
Because of theiruraniumandthorium
content, some zircons might undergo
metamictization.

Chemical Name : Zirconium Silicate

Chemical formula : ZrSiO4
Colours : Reddish brown, yellow, green, blue, gray,
colorless; in thin section, colorless to pale brown

CSIROs pure zircon process

Dr

Hal Aral,
researcher at CSIRO
Minerals, has
developed a process
which reduces the
radiation level of
zircons by using a
heat process
followed by leaching
to extract the radio
nuclides.

calcining

the sample with a borate

mineral at 1 200 C forfour hours
grinding the sample to achieve a
particle size of 15-20 um
The
Stages
involved
in
the
Pure
leaching the calcine with a dilute
Zircon
Process are:
acid solution.

Benefits of the process:

maintains

particle size
lowers the radioactivity level
removes impurities including iron,
aluminium, titanium, thorium and
uranium
avoids introducing new impurities
protects crystal integrity.

Major uses of Zircon

foundries as sand moulds

refractories as lining for steel ladles and
furnaces
ceramics as glazes, pigments and
enamels
zirconia production
zirconium chemicals, metals and alloys.
More than half of the commercially
produced zircon is consumed in the
ceramic industry as an opacifier in
glazes.

Rutile
is amineralcomposed primarily of
titanium dioxide,TiO2.
Two rarerpolymorphsof TiO2
anatase(sometimes

known by the
obsolete name 'octahedrite'), a
tetragonalmineral of pseudooctahedralhabit; and
brookite, anorthorhombicmineral.

Properties of Rutile
- among the highestrefractive
indicesof any known mineral and also
exhibits highdispersion. Natural rutile
may contain up to 10%ironand
significant amounts
ofniobiumandtantalum.
- derives its name from
theLatinrutilus, red, in reference to the
deep red color observed in some
specimens when viewed by transmitted
light.

Chemical Name : titanium dioxide

Colour : Reddish brown, red, pale yellow,
pale blue, violet, rarely grass-green; black if
high in NbTa
Chemical Formula : TiO2

Uses of Rutile

lightweight, high strength,

non-corrosive metal are
aerospace, automobiles,
sports, and medicine. Still, its
main use is in paint as a paint
pigment. It replaced lead as
the most common paint
pigment used in the
manufacture of paint. Other
uses include a coating for
tiles, and it is used to treat
the air, both to preserve fruits
and vegetables and to
remove pollution.

Other Uses
Rutile

is used as a coating on
welding rods. It is also used as
an ore of titanium, a metal used
where light weight and high
strength are needed. Some rutile
used in the production of
pigments for paints.

Thats

All Folks!!!