Characteristics, classification and application of mineral materials?

Mineral materials refer to natural minerals (mainly nonmetallic minerals) or rocks as the main raw materials, which can be directly used as materials after processing and transformation or for the purpose of utilizing their main physical and chemical properties. This meaning mainly includes the following four aspects: first, natural minerals and rocks that can be directly utilized or simply processed and utilized; Second, natural nonmetallic minerals and rocks are finished or semi-finished products made by physical and chemical reactions; Third, synthetic minerals or rocks; Fourth, the direct use of these materials is mainly their own physical or chemical properties, not limited to individual chemical elements.

People divide materials into metal materials, organic materials, inorganic non-metal materials and composite materials. Minerals are divided into three categories: metallic minerals, nonmetallic minerals and fuel minerals.

Metal minerals refer to minerals whose ultimate goal is to extract metal elements through smelting. For example, aluminum minerals extract and utilize aluminum by smelting.

Most nonmetallic minerals refer to some minerals that directly use the inherent physical and chemical characteristics of their natural mineral raw materials, such as kaolin and Yingshi, and are directly used as raw materials.

Fuel minerals refer to minerals that extract and utilize their thermal energy through thermochemical reactions, such as coal, and obtain their thermal energy mainly through combustion.

Obviously, the traditional utilization means of metal minerals and fuel minerals is to change the original chemical structure of minerals to achieve the purpose of utilization, that is, to realize the value of minerals by changing the microstructure of minerals themselves; Non-metallic minerals, on the other hand, use the technical and physical characteristics of their macro-structure, and most of them do not change the microstructure of minerals. Then, according to the definition of mineral materials, mineral materials are very similar to non-metallic minerals currently used, but they also include metal minerals and fuel minerals. That is to say, as long as the original microstructure of metal minerals or fuel minerals used at present is not destroyed, and their macro-technical and physical characteristics are retained and utilized, such metal minerals or fuel minerals are also mineral materials. For example, hematite can be directly made into iron red, and hematite is a mineral material at this time. Therefore, the category of mineral materials is greater than that of non-metallic minerals now, and it cannot be treated equally. So broadly speaking, mineral materials include all kinds of minerals in nature, including metallic minerals, nonmetallic minerals and fuel minerals.

Mineral materials have the following characteristics:

1, multifunctional

The versatility of mineral materials means that a mineral material can have multiple uses. For example, bentonite with montmorillonite as the main component can be used in oil drilling mud, iron ore pellet binder, edible oil decoloring agent, wine and beverage clarification, oil purification, sewage treatment, pesticide carrier, waterproof sealing, cosmetic raw materials and other industries.

2. Diversity

The diversity of mineral materials refers to the diversity of minerals and the complexity of mineral properties. At present, there are more than 3,000 known natural minerals, and their compositions and structures are very complex. Each mineral has its own unique physical and chemical properties and technological properties. But even though there are many kinds of mineral materials, at the beginning of the 20th century, there were less than 60 kinds of mineral materials developed and applied by human beings. Although more than 200 kinds of mineral materials have been developed and applied, their proportion in the total number of mineral materials is still very small. In other words, mineral materials still have great potential for research, development and application.

3. Large reserves and low prices.

Compared with synthetic materials, mineral materials generally have the characteristics of huge reserves and low production cost.

4. Strong substitutability

Strong substitution of mineral materials means that minerals with similar properties can be substituted for each other in application.

5. Wide application fields.

At present, the application of mineral materials has been involved in almost all industrial fields, including building materials, chemicals, machinery, metallurgy, textiles, electronics, agriculture, food, medicine, environmental protection, gems, arts and crafts and other fields and departments. Moreover, mineral materials can play a greater role in places where special requirements such as high strength, high speed, high temperature resistance, light weight, insulation and corrosion resistance are needed.

6. Significant economic benefits.

Because mineral materials have many uses, large reserves and low prices, the research and development of mineral materials can obtain huge economic benefits, and the economic benefits will be different with the depth and breadth of mineral materials development. For example, the price of bulk bentonite is $30 /t, while the price of organic bentonite is $2,400-3,600 /t, which can reach 80- 1.20 times.

Classification of mineral materials

With the study of mineral materials, people now divide mineral materials into the following three categories: first, they are classified according to the names of the main minerals in mineral materials; Secondly, classification according to the structure of mineral materials; Thirdly, mineral materials are classified according to their functions. Among them, classification according to the main mineral names in mineral materials is the oldest classification method, named after the most important mineral names in mineral materials. Such as asbestos, graphite, mica, etc. That is to say, the main minerals in these mineral materials are asbestos, graphite and mica. However, with the development and utilization of more and more mineral materials, and mineral materials used for the same function can often replace each other, this classification method gradually shows its limitations and needs other classification methods to enrich and supplement it. Then the following classification methods are derived:

1, classified according to the structure of mineral materials

This classification method is based on the composition of minerals and their relationship. Then, according to the structure of mineral materials, mineral materials are usually divided into single mineral materials and composite materials.

1) single mineral material

Single mineral materials refer to those materials mainly composed of single minerals, which are called single mineral materials, such as flexible graphite paper, graphite filler, carbon fiber, graphite fiber, mica, diamond, expanded perlite, light calcium carbonate, heavy calcium carbonate and so on.

2) Composite materials

Composite material refers to a mixed system composed of mineral materials and other materials, which is called composite material. Composite materials are divided into three categories: inorganic composite materials, inorganic-organic composite materials and hybrid composite materials;

(1) Inorganic composite refers to a system composed of two or more inorganic mineral materials, which is called inorganic composite. Such as asbestos cement products, microporous calcium silicate and ceramic materials. However, it should be pointed out that in composite materials, as long as the matrix of composite materials is mineral materials, even if some other materials, such as organic or metal materials, are used as reinforcing materials, they are also called inorganic composite materials. For example, steel fiber cement and paper fiber gypsum board are all inorganic composite materials.

(2) Inorganic-organic composite material refers to a system which is composed of inorganic mineral materials as reinforcing materials and organic polymer materials. For example, synthetic brake shoes for trains, asbestos rubber sheets and glass fiber reinforced plastic products.

(3) Hybrid composite refers to a system composed of two or more ordinary composite materials. Generally speaking, it means that two kinds of fibers with different characteristics are mixed in the matrix as the reinforcing material. Hybrid composite materials are considered as the latest research results of composite materials, also known as "composite materials of composite materials". For example, friction materials used in airplanes and high-strength structural materials used in aviation and energy sectors are all hybrid composite materials.

2. Classification according to the composition, structure and processing characteristics of mineral materials.

The method divides mineral materials into the following four types:

1). Natural mineral materials. Refers to the minerals or rocks whose physical and chemical properties are directly utilized and the composition and structure of raw materials have not changed after physical processing. Include fillers (such as calcium bicarbonate powder, talcum powder, etc.). ), decorative materials (such as stone and precious stones), optical materials (such as crystal and fluorite), traditional Chinese medicine (such as mirabilite and gypsum), grinding materials (such as garnet and corundum), health-care nutrients (such as tourmaline and medical stone) and heat insulation materials (such as asbestos rope and cloth).

2) Modified mineral materials. Minerals (rocks) undergo ultra-fine and ultra-pure modification and modification, including surface modification (such as perlite, modified calcium carbonate, etc.), which changes or partially changes the composition or structure of raw materials. ), component modification (such as modified bentonite, graphite fluoride, gypsum plaster, etc. ) and structural modification (such as expanded perlite, expanded vermiculite, expanded graphite, rock wool, etc.). ).

3) Artificial mineral materials. This is the principle of using synthetic mineral materials to simulate the formation of natural minerals or rocks. Include artificial crystal (such as artificial crystal, artificial diamond, artificial gem, mineral whisker, etc.). ), porous materials (such as synthetic zeolite, microporous calcium silicate), nano mineral powder materials (such as nano calcium carbonate, nano zinc oxide, etc.). ), etc.

4) Composite mineral materials. Composite mineral materials are synthetic mineral materials with different phase compositions, including mineral-organic composite materials (such as friction materials, sealing materials and insulating materials). It is synthesized from high molecular materials such as asbestos, vermiculite, wollastonite and mica. ) and mineral-inorganic composite materials (such as mineral fiber reinforced inorganic cementitious materials, mineral-based building materials, thermal insulation materials, electrical functional materials, etc. ).

3, according to the functional classification of mineral materials

This classification method is based on the different properties and uses of mineral materials. Mineral materials are classified according to their electrical, magnetic, optical, thermal, friction, surface chemical reaction, colloid properties and filling and sealing properties. Generally, mineral materials are divided into nine categories: mechanical functional materials, thermal functional materials, electromagnetic functional materials, optical functional materials, adsorption functional materials, bonding and coating functional materials, filling and reinforcing functional materials, decorative functional materials and nuclear reactor functional materials. According to the use of mineral materials, mineral materials can be divided into many application types, such as fire resistance, heat preservation, insulation, ceramics, building materials, chemicals, fillers, agriculture, medicine, environmental protection, grinding, functions and gems.

In the book Mineral Materials, Han Yuexin and others combined the above classification methods, taking the classification method of Technical Petrology Committee of China Silicate Society as the main line, giving consideration to industry classification and composition classification.

Zheng Shuilin classified mineral materials according to their functions and uses, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Types of Mineral Materials and Their Applications

Material types, mineral raw materials, material varieties and application fields

Functional powder materials include calcite, marble, chalk, talc, pyrophyllite, illite, graphite, kaolin, dickite, mica, wollastonite, sillimanite, diatomite, bentonite, saponite, sepiolite, attapulgite, rutile, feldspar, zircon sand, barite, gypsum, timely, asbestos, garnet, tourmaline and andalusite. Fine powder (10 ~ 1000 micron), ultrafine powder (0. 1 ~ 10 micron), ultrafine powder or one-dimensional or two-dimensional nano powder (0.00 1 ~ 0. 1 micron). Rubber, adhesives, chemical fibers, paints, coatings, ceramics, glass, refractories, thermal insulation materials, flame retardants, cementing materials, papermaking, machinery, petrochemicals, electric power, transportation, microelectronics, metallurgy, building materials, beverages, instruments, medicine, feed, aerospace, soil improvement, waste water and waste gas treatment, etc.

Mechanical functional materials, such as asbestos, gypsum, graphite, granite, marble, quartzite, zircon sand, kaolin, feldspar, diamond, garnet, mica, talc, wollastonite, tremolite, limestone, diatomite, flint, opal and other asbestos cement products, calcium silicate board, fiber gypsum board, stone, stone, structural ceramics, inorganic. Grinding paste), abrasive, lining material, brake lining, brake shoe, brake band (sheet), graphite bearing, gasket, sealing ring, clutch plate, lubricant (paste), cylinder gasket, asbestos rubber sheet, asbestos packing and other building materials, construction, machinery, electric power, transportation, agriculture, chemical industry, light industry, aerospace, petroleum, and so on.

Thermal functional materials include asbestos, graphite, quartz, feldspar, diamond, vermiculite, diatomite, sepiolite, attapulgite, brucite, perlite, mica, talc, kaolin, wollastonite, zeolite, rutile, zircon sand, limestone, mica, bauxite and other asbestos cloth, sheets, plates, rock wool, glass wool, mineral wool sound-absorbing board and so on. Micro-porous calcium silicate board, glass beads, thermal insulation coatings, refractory materials, magnesia-carbon bricks, carbon/graphite composite materials, heat storage materials, mullite, cordierite, zirconia ceramics and other building materials, construction, metallurgy, chemical industry, light industry, machinery, electric power, transportation, aerospace, petroleum, coal and so on.

Electromagnetic functional materials such as graphite, quartz, diamond, vermiculite, mica, talc, kaolin, rutile, tourmaline, iron garnet and other carbon graphite electrodes, brushes, colloidal graphite, graphite products fluoride, electrode paste, thermistors, batteries, nonlinear resistors, ceramic semiconductors, garnet ferrites, piezoelectric materials (piezoelectric crystals, auto-ignition elements, etc. ), mica capacitor, mica paper, etc.

Optical functional materials: crystal, Iceland spar, fluorite and other polarizing, refracting, condenser lens, optical glass, optical fiber, optical filter, polarizing material, fluorescent material and other communication, electronics, instrumentation, machinery, aviation, aerospace, light industry and so on.

Absorbing shielding materials include rutile, tourmaline, timely, kaolin, graphite, barite, bentonite, talc and other titanium dioxide (titanium dioxide), nano-silica, alumina, nuclear reactor shielding materials, skin cream, protective clothing, warm clothing, plastic film, matting agent and other nuclear, military, cosmetic (skin care) products, civilian (military) clothing, agriculture and so on.

Catalytic materials such as zeolite, kaolin, diatomite, sepiolite, attapulgite, dickite and other molecular sieves, catalysts, catalyst carriers and other petroleum, chemical, pesticide, medicine and so on.

Adsorption materials such as zeolite, kaolin, diatomaceous earth, sepiolite, attapulgite, dickite, bentonite, saponite, perlite, protein clay, graphite, talc and other filter AIDS, decolorants, desiccants, deodorizers, fungicides, water treatment agents, air purifiers, oil pollution treatment agents, nuclear waste treatment agents and other industries such as beer, beverages, edible oil and food.

Bentonite, saponite, sepiolite, attapulgite, hydromica and other organic bentonites, thixotropic agents, anti-settling agents, thickeners, gels, leveling agent, drilling mud and other coatings, coatings, adhesives, cleaning agents, rheological materials such as oil production and geological exploration.

The bonding materials include bentonite, sepiolite, attapulgite, hydromica and other aggregate mineral binders, sodium silicate, adhesives, molds, clay-based composite binders and other metallurgy, construction, casting, light industry and so on.

Decorative materials include marble, granite, inkstone, mica, pyrophyllite, opal, crystal, garnet, olivine, agate, jade, pyroxene, malachite, Iceland spar, amber stone, turquoise, diamond, moonstone and other decorative stones, pearlescent mica, colored stones, various precious stones, ornamental stones and other buildings, building materials, coatings, leather and cosmetics.

Biofunctional materials such as zeolite, medical stone, kaolin, diatomite, sepiolite, attapulgite, bentonite, soapstone, perlite, protein soil, talc, tourmaline, calcium carbonate and other medicines and health products, drug carriers, feed additives, fungicides, adsorbents, cosmetic additives, pharmaceutical industry, biochemical industry, animal husbandry, cosmetics and so on.

Application of mineral materials

The application of mineral materials is arguably the oldest. As early as the Stone Age, people used natural mining tools, but it was only an unconscious application at that time. With the development of society, people have gradually mastered the metal smelting technology, and the application of metal materials has gradually developed, and gradually surpassed the application of natural minerals. By the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, metal materials had occupied an absolute advantage. But in modern times, with the development of research methods and the in-depth understanding of the nature of natural minerals, people found that natural minerals have many incomparable properties. For example, high temperature resistant materials, human beings have not been able to make materials that can achieve high temperature resistance of graphite ore. The melting point of graphite ore is 3 850℃, the vaporization temperature is 4 500℃, and the mass loss of l0s heated at ultra-high temperature of 7 000℃ is 0.8%, while the mass loss of high-temperature resistant artificial metal material is 65 438+02.9% under these conditions, and the strength of graphite at 2500℃ is higher than that at room temperature. For example, in terms of corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, many natural minerals have much better corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance than metal materials. Because of this, the exploitation and utilization of natural minerals have been re-emphasized and developed rapidly. At present, the development and application of mineral materials is a sign to measure the degree of industrialization of a country. Some people say that 2 1 century will be the second stone age of mankind, which means that a large number of mineral materials will be developed and applied in 2 1 century. Others say that when the output value of mineral materials in a country's economy exceeds the output value of metal minerals for the first time, it is the border of the country's industrial maturity. The phenomenon that the output value of mineral materials exceeds the output value of metal minerals appeared in Britain and the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, and in the United States it was 1934. In the 1970s, the output ratio of mineral materials to metal minerals in these two countries reached 2: 1, 1986 reached 3: 1. Worldwide, since 1950s, the consumption of mineral materials has increased by 50% ~ 60% every ten years, and now the total annual output value exceeds 80 billion US dollars, of which the export volume of various countries is about 30 billion US dollars, with an annual growth rate of about 3%.

The application field of mineral materials has involved almost all industrial fields and departments. Because different fields have different requirements for the types and properties of mineral materials, it is first necessary to understand the use of mineral materials in various fields. At present, according to the different application fields of mineral materials, mineral materials can be mainly divided into mineral insulating materials, insulating mineral materials, ceramic mineral materials, building mineral materials, chemical mineral materials, agricultural mineral materials, filling mineral materials, medicinal mineral materials, environmental protection mineral materials, grinding mineral materials, gem mineral materials and functional mineral materials.

Compared with developed countries, the research and development of mineral materials in China is relatively late. The export volume of the year before last was about 600 million US dollars, accounting for only 2% of the world's export volume, and most of them were unprocessed raw materials. As far as China's mineral resources are concerned, there are many kinds of mineral resources in China with their own characteristics. A considerable number of mineral resources rank among the top in the world, such as tungsten and rare earth minerals. Therefore, the research and development potential of mineral materials is huge, especially for the research and development of mineral porcelain sources in China, which has a broader prospect.