Carbothermic reduction of mechanically activated hematite-graphite-copper mixture

In this research carbothermic reduction of mechanically activated hematite-graphite-copper mixture was investigated. The effects of Copper and milling time on reduction behaviour of mixtures were studied by differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry experiments. SEM and XRD techniques were also used to evaluate microstructure and phase constituent of the samples. By mechanical activation of the hematite-graphite-copper mixture the reduction temperature could be decreased >200 degrees C. The presence of copper in mixture has an additional effect on the initiation of the Boudouard reaction at lower temperatures. Thus the gaseous reduction of Hematite with CO was started at a temperature as low as 790 degrees C when Cu was used in the activated mixture.