PHASE AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF CHROMITE: A DIFFERENT APPROACH

Abstract

Chromite ores are basically classified on basis of Cr2O3 content and Cr to Fe ratio in a sample.The higher content of Cr increases the value of the ore but this is greatly affected by the presence of impurities in form of silicates, oxides or hydroxides. The present study was performed to analyze the impurities of chromite ore collected from Prangghar (Mohmand agency), Pakistan. From x-ray diffractormeter analysis a single phase (magnesiochromite-ferroan, ICDD card # 09-0353) was identified. SEM/EDX analysis along with etallurgical microscopy images were in partial agreement with XRD, as some impurity phases were also identified. In spite of these impurities, mostly silicates, the ore was best suited for metallurgical industry due to its high Cr content.