Iron-Speciation Control of Chalcopyrite Dissolution from a Carbonatite Derived Concentrate with Acidic Ferric Sulphate Media

The mechanisms involved in the dissolution of chalcopyrite from a carbonatite concentrate in a ferric sulphate solution at pH 1.0, 1.5 and 1.8, and temperatures 25 °C and 50 °C were investigated. Contrary to expectations and thermodynamic predictions according to which low pH would favour high Cu dissolution, the opposite was observed. The dissolution was also highly correlated to the temperature. CuFeS2 phase dissolution produced intermediate Cu rich phases: CuS, Cu2S and Cu5FeS4, which appeared to envelop CuFeS2. Thermodynamic prediction revealed CuS to be refractory and could hinder dissolution. CuFeS2 phase solid-state dissolution process was further discussed. Free Fe3+ and its complexes (Fe(HSO4)2+, Fe(SO4)2– and FeSO4+ were responsible for Cu dissolution, which increased with increasing pH and temperature. The dissolution improved at pH 1.8 rather than 1.0 due to the increase of (Fe(HSO4)2+, Fe(SO4)2– and FeSO4+, which were also the predominating species at a higher temperature. The fast and linear first dissolution stage was attributed to the combined effect of Fe3+ and its complex (Fe(HSO4)2+, while Fe(SO4)2– was the main species for the second Cu dissolution stage characterised by a slow rate.

Transformation of the δ-Ferrite in SS2343 Austenitic Stainless Steel upon Annealing at 1050 °C, 1150 °C and 1250 °C

The solidification behaviors of laboratory cast austenitic SS2343 stainless steel in terms of the volume fraction of δ-ferrite in the as-cast state and its transformation after subsequent annealing were investigated. Monitoring of morphological transformations of δ-ferrite in the microstructure show the progress of δ-ferrite dissolution. Annealing tests were conducted at 1050 °C, 1150 °C and 1250 °C with soaking times of 5 and 40 min. The thermodynamic prediction and metallographic identification of δ-ferrite are presented. The ferrite fractions were measured using a magnetic method and determined to be in the range between 10.7% and 14.6%. The volume share of δ-ferrite decreased with an increase in temperature and the time of annealing. About 50–55% the δ-ferrite was effectively transformed. The δ-ferrite phase, originally present in a dendritic morphology, tends to break up and spheroidize. The morphology varies from vermicular, lacy and acicular shapes to globular for higher temperatures and for longer exposure times. In the δ-ferrite after annealing, concentrations of Cr and Mo decrease, and conversely the concentration of Ni increase, all by small, but significant, amounts. The observed changes in the solute concentration can be explained in terms of the transformation of ferrite into austenite and sigma phases.