Investigation of Phase Composition of Sulfide Copper-Nickel Ore Heating Products.

Specimens of chalcopyrite and pyrrhotine ore were heated to melting in an inert gas atmosphere and were held for different periods at set temperatures (550, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 and 1100). When chalcopyrite and pentlandite are both present in a specimen, mutual diffusion of elements begins from t equals 600 C. Full homogenization does not occur below t equals 1000 C. From t equals 800 C some separation of the nickel phase from the copper phase is noted. At t greater than 700C, chalcopyrite dissolves in pyrrhotine. At t greater than 600 C pentlandite is substituted by monosulfide solid solution losing a considerable amount of nickel due to dissolution in pyrrhotine.