Synthesis of Iron Oxide Powder by Recycling the Scrap Steel Waste to Produce Pigments

This work deals with the problem of utilisation of iron-containing waste and its processing into a pigment with improved colouring properties. Steel scrap has been used as an alternative raw material for the electrochemical synthesis of pigments based on iron oxide for use in the production of construction materials. Investigation of the samples by means of X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy showed that the conditions of electrochemical synthesis have no effect on the phase composition and morphology of the samples. It was established that iron oxide powders after thermal treatment at 750 degrees C are composed of hematite alpha-Fe2O3, are characterised by pure and bright colour, and by the absence of impurities. To determine the colouring properties of the pigment, the resulting iron oxide was mixed with clay rock in various proportions and heated to high temperatures.