Studies on the Production of Zirconia from Indian Zircon—Part II: MgO-ZrSiO4 and CaCO3-MgO-ZrSiO4 Systems

Various compositions in MgO-ZrSiO4 and CaCO3-MgO-ZrSiO4 systems heated up to 1450° for different periods were studied. While in both the systems, there was complete decomposition of zircon under suitable conditions, it was found that either the magnesite-zircon composition in the molar ratio of 2:1 or the dolomite-zircon composition in the molar ratio of slightly greater than 1:1 may be used for industrial applications. The suitability, in the decreasing order, of the three systems studied was CaCO3-ZrSiO4, CaCO3-MgO-ZrSiO4 and MgO-ZrSiO4. The various products of decomposition were also identified with the help of chemical and X-ray analysis.