Uses of Fluorite
Fluorite (Industrial name fluorspar) is a mineral from the group of halides, formed by the combination of calcium and fluoride, which crystallizes in the cubic system. Formula CaF2.
Fluorite, from the Latin fluere (flow), owes its name to that property.
Its main use is in the production of hydrofluoric acid.
In the manufacture of steel, fluorite is used as a flux, lowering the melting point of steel, which is achieved with a dual objective, on one hand, facilitate and accelerate the formation of slag, reducing energy costs. This reduces heat loss and improves the thermal performance during the heating phases and refining Furnace.
Moreover, a slag with a low melting point has a higher ability to capture sulfur in the desulfurization, and reducing capacity greater scavenging inclusions, resulting in cleaner steel.
In the cement industry, the use of fluorite reduce thermal energy consumption by reducing the temperature clinkerisation. Moreover, the compressive strength increases by 15% when adding fluorspar to manufacture.
It can be distinguished by fluorite CaF2 content.
- Acid Grade – F2Ca content higher than 97%.
- Metallurgical Grade (Metspar) - F2Ca content higher than 70%.
- Content cement- F2Ca content higher than 35%..
Globally, the main metallurgical fluorspar producers are China, Mexico, Mongolia and Russia.