Mineralogical Study of Iron Sand with Different Metallurgical Characteristic to Smelting with Use of Japanese Classic Iron-making Furnace “Tatara”

Abstract

This study is to investigate and clarify the details about mineralogical characteristics of iron sand used for Japanese classical iron-making furnace “Tatara”, that produces different kinds of iron product, natural steel and cast iron. Though the product difference is known experientially to be attributed to the difference of iron sand kind “Masa” and “Akome”, scientific reason is vague and their characterization is necessary. Specimen was prepared by separating the particles with the similar character by sieving and magnetic separation. Chemical analysis, XRD, mineral texture, EPMA, chromaticity and diffusive reflectance, Raman spectroscopy and specific gravity clarified that main difference between Masa and Akome is in the composition of particles mixed with different mineral characters in term of solid solution TiO₂% in iron oxide and quantity of hematite that is weathered magnetite. CO gas reduction test showed that such mineral characters affect the initial temperature of reduction and mineral kinds formed on the way of reduction.