subject: An Overview Of Hematite Iron Ore [print this page] Iron, a metallic element found in about 5% of the earth's crust, forms compounds with valencies +2 and +3. This transition metal and element can form three iron oxides namely ferrous oxide (FeO), ferric oxide (Fe2O3) and ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4). Ferric Oxide is also called hematite. The colour of hematite ranges from reddish-brown to gray or black but its streak always has red hue. Even the reddish landscape of planet Mars is because of the oxidized iron which is found in abundance there. Hematite is an important iron ore with a metallic or earthy luster. When iron in hematite comes in contact with water and oxygen, it creates a rust-like appearance. Rust, a commonly used term, is the result of the corrosion of iron when iron comes in contact with water and oxygen.
Hematite is widely used in manufacturing of steel and as a colouring pigment in cosmetics and jewelery. Red iron oxide is a form of hematite.
Hematite is a mineral, colored black to steel or silver-gray, brown to reddish brown, or red. It is mined as the main ore of iron. Varieties include kidney ore, martite (pseudomorphs after magnetite), iron rose and specularite (specular hematite). While the forms of hematite vary, they all have a rust-red streak. Hematite is harder than pure iron, but much more brittle. Maghemite is a hematite- and magnetite-related oxide mineral.
The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood a?a haima because hematite can be red, as in rouge, a powdered form of hematite. The color of hematite lends it well in use as a pigment. The English name of the stone is derived from Middle French: Hmatite Pierre, which was imported from Latin: Lapis Hmatites, which originated from Ancient Greek: a?at?t?? ????? (haimatites lithos, blood-red stone).
The major applications of red iron oxide include:
Sound Recording:It is used in making magnetic recording tape. It is mixed with a binder and then coated upon polyester tape.
As a Polish: Red iron oxide acts as an excellent metal polish for the jewelery business.
As a pigment: Red iron oxide powder is ideal to create pigments. This red iron oxide pigment is used for colouring of all kinds of cosmetics, rubber, paper, cloth etc. In recent times, it is extensively used in various types of concrete prefabricated parts and building materials. Red iron oxide pigment helps to give colour to variety of indoor and outdoor concrete surfaces such as walls, floors, pillars, pavements etc.
