Magnetite is a common iron oxide mineral used as a valuable iron ore and for many other purposes, including abrasives, water treatment, catalysts, pigments, and high-density concrete. It is the most magnetic mineral found in nature and led to the first discovery and understanding of magnetism. Large quantities of magnetite are mined and turned into iron for use in steelmaking, while smaller amounts are used in other important ways.
Magnetite is an iron oxide mineral that belongs to the group known as spinels. It is very common and is a valuable iron ore. Magnetite has been known to mankind since the beginning of history and led to the first discovery and understanding of magnetism. It is the most magnetic mineral found in nature, and the variety known as the lodestone was the basis for the first crude magnetic compasses. There are many uses for magnetite today, such as for abrasives and coatings.
Several minerals serve as sources of iron ore and magnetite is one of the most important. Large quantities of magnetite are mined and turned into iron for use in steelmaking. Most of the annually mined magnetite is used for this purpose.
Much smaller amounts of magnetite are used in other but no less important ways. Abrasives are one such use, and magnetite is used to make the common abrasive known as emery, which is set to stiff pieces of wood or cardboard and soaked into a cloth, both of which are used in much the same way as sandpaper. Emery tablets are a popular cosmetic tool for filing and smoothing nails, for example. Granulated magnetite is sometimes added to waterjet devices used for cutting and blasting material as an abrasive.
Water treatment may be one of the most important uses of magnetite as the mineral attracts and binds dissolved arsenic. Extremely small particles of magnetite are highly effective in removing arsenic, which is a major and dangerous contaminant of water sources worldwide.
The production of ammonia and man-made hydrocarbons are two other uses of magnetite. It is not directly involved in the chemical reactions that produce these compounds, but acts as a catalyst for them, increasing production and improving efficiency. Ammonia production is a key step in the production of fertilizers that are used to produce crops that feed the world’s population. Magnetite is sometimes used as an additive to fertilizers, providing iron as a micronutrient.
Providing the pigment in some paints and toners is another use of magnetite. It is especially common in the toner used in the photocopying process. Magnetite is also used to line the inside of some types of boilers and other containers intended to hold liquids at high temperatures. High-density concrete often has ground magnetite as an additive.
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