Properties and Composition

It is a weakly magnetic titanium-iron oxide mineral with the formula FeTiO3. It is a dense, black, non-metallic solid. Chemically, it is an iron(II) titanium oxide.

It crystallizes in the trigonal system, and its crystal structure is the same as that of corundum (Al2O3). It has a Mohs hardness of 5-6.5 and has a slightly lower specific gravity than titanium dioxide, with ilmenite weighing between 4.0 and 4.7 g/cm3.

Its color ranges from steel-gray to black, but some samples appear brown or reddish due to surface oxidation of the iron Ilmenite. Occasionally, it may have a very pale brown or grey tint.

It commonly forms as significant accumulations of grains and granular masses in igneous and metamorphic rocks, where it may represent accumulations of heavy minerals in sedimentary environments.

Uses

It is the primary ore of titanium. The principal use of it is in the production of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is the most important white pigment used for painting buildings and paper because of its brightness and very high refractive index.

It is also an important industrial mineral because it is a source of titanium metal and titanium alloys. During processing, ilmenite is upgraded to pig iron, ferrotitanium, and titanium dioxide.

Get More Insights on- Ilmenite