Ilmenite Particles Research Articles

Impact of acid surface pretreatment on the hydrophobic agglomeration of micro-fine ilmenite and titanaugite in flotation

Acid surface pretreatment was employed to realize the selective hydrophobic agglomeration of micro-fine ilmenite in flotation. Microflotation and artificially mixed mineral experiments manifested that after acid surface pretreatment, the recovery of micro-fine ilmenite with the increase of NaOL concentration and the floatability difference of micro-fine ilmenite and titanaugite increased significantly. Zeta potential and contact angle analyses suggested that acid surface pretreatment intensified the adsorption of NaOL on ilmenite surfaces while reducing it on titanaugite surfaces. Turbidity, optical microscope, and EDLVO theory analyses attested that the hydrophobic attraction dominated in a short particle spacing in NaOL solution. Following acid surface pretreatment, the hydrophobic agglomeration between micro-fine ilmenite particles enhanced in NaOL solution due to increased hydrophobic attraction. In contrast, the hydrophobic attraction and agglomeration between micro-fine titanaugite particles as well as between micro-fine ilmenite and titanaugite particles weakened. Overall, acid surface pretreatment improved the selective adsorption of NaOL and the selective hydrophobic agglomeration of micro-fine ilmenite, resulting in enhanced separation efficiency and recovery of micro-fine ilmenite.

Influence of Particle Size on Flotation Separation of Ilmenite and Forsterite

In addition to bubble–particle interaction, particle–particle interaction also has a significant influence on mineral flotation. Fine particles that coat the mineral surface prevent direct contact with collectors and/or air bubbles, thereby lowering flotation recovery. Calculating the particle interaction energy can help in evaluating the interaction behavior of particles. In this study, the floatability of coarse ilmenite (−151 + 74 μm) and different particle sizes (−45 + 25, −25 + 19, −19 μm) of forsterite with NaOL as a collector was investigated. The results showed that forsterite sizes of −45 + 25 and −25 + 19 μm had no effect on the ilmenite floatability, whereas −19 μm forsterite significantly reduced ilmenite floatability. A particle size analysis of artificially mixed minerals and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the flotation products showed that heterogeneous aggregation occurred between ilmenite and −19 μm forsterite particles. The extended DLVO (Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek) theory was applied to calculate the interaction energy between mineral particles using data from zeta potential and contact angle measurements. The results showed that the interaction barriers between ilmenite (−151 + 74 μm) and forsterite (−45 + 25, −25 + 19, and −19 μm) were 11.94 × 103 kT, 8.23 × 103 kT and 4.09 × 103 kT, respectively. Additionally, the interaction barrier between forsterite particles smaller than 19 μm was 0.51 × 103 kT. The strength of the barrier decreased as the size of the forsterite decreased. Therefore, fine forsterite particles and aggregated forsterite can easily overcome the energy barrier, coating the ilmenite particle surface. This explains the effect of different forsterite sizes on the floatability of ilmenite and the underlying mechanism of particle interaction.

Examine the Optical and Dry Sliding Wear Characteristics of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced With Ilmenite/GR/SN

The composite was created by adding a lubricating agent (tin, graphite, or both) and 10% of ilmenite (particle size range of 20–120 µm). To manufacture this composite material, stir casting—a low-cost method was used. Furthermore, three weight percent of solid lubricants (tin, graphite, or both) were added in order to study their effects on solid lubrication. Ilmenite particles were uniformly dispersed throughout the Al-matrix during optical microscope examination. The refinement of primary silicon when ilmenite reinforcement was added. Comparing the composite samples to the base alloy, LM30, wear analysis showed that the addition of ilmenite increased the samples resistance to wear. The results of the investigation showed that the use of solid lubricants in aluminum metal composites reduced material losses by 21% to 41%. According to wear testing, the use of two solid lubricants demonstrated even greater wear resistance, ranging from 46% to 56%.

Determining patterns of leaching titanium(IV) from the Irshansky deposit ilmenite

The research object is the ilmenite concentrate from the Irshansky deposit. This study describes an elemental composition of the mineral raw material and confirms its structure using the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Experimental studies have shown that the ilmenite concentrate from the Irshansky deposit has a significant titanium content in terms of titanium dioxide (79 %). Mineral raw materials with such a chemical composition are unique, so there is a need to find alternative methods for its processing. The research demonstrates that the maximum degree of extraction in the process of alkaline leaching of the ilmenite concentrate is achieved under the condition that the average diameter of particles of the mineral raw material should be ≤71 μm. As a result of temperature studies, it has been found that a temperature of 453 K would suffice to obtain potassium titanate at atmospheric pressure. Further temperature increase does not provide for a significant increase in the degree of titanium extraction, and also contributes to the formation of polytitanates of various compositions. The study of the influence of the molar ratio of the starting reagents on the degree of extraction of titanium(IV) from the ilmenite concentrate has showed that the optimal molar ratio between the components corresponds to the stoichiometric one and is 1:2. Increasing the amount of potassium hydroxide in the reaction mixture is impractical as it reduces the yield of potassium titanate, and the final product will have high alkalinity due to excess alkali. The optimal time for alkaline leaching is three hours of continuous heating in a glycerin bath. A further increase in the duration of heating does not lead to an increase in the degree of extraction, which is associated with the diffusion of alkali from the surface of the nucleus into the volume of ilmenite particles due to the formed products of interaction and annihilation of the initial nuclei

Role of ilmenite particles on high temperature wear behavior and coefficient of friction of LM30 aluminium alloy composites

In this study, experimental approach involves material preparation via stir casting, extensive testing, and characterization. Optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis reveal the uniform distribution of ilmenite particles within the alloy matrix and the formation of intermetallic phases. The thermal characteristics analysis demonstrates reduced 29 % coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the composites, in the case of 15 wt% fine ilmenite particles reinforced composite. Hardness tests improvements in hardness, with the 15 wt% (32–50 μm) ilmenite Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite (AMC) exhibiting a 69% increase over the base alloy. Wear testing at various temperatures and loads showed the superior wear resistance of the composites compared to the base alloy, with the C3-15 composite outperforming cast iron typically used in brake drums. The wear rate of LM30 and LM30 + 15 wt% ilmenite (32–50 μm) (C3-15) sample is 38.8671 x 10−4 mm3/m and 10.50768 x 10−4 mm3/m at 200 °C and 68.67 N applied load, respectively. The coefficient of friction analysis further supports the enhanced performance of the composites. The coefficient of friction (COF) of LM30 + 15 wt% ilmenite (32–50 μm) (C3-15) is 0.29898, 0.47645 at 9.81 N and 68.67 N load, respectively measured at a temperature of 200 °C. Examining worn surfaces and debris provides insights into the wear mechanisms, including adhesion and abrasive wear. Overall, this research suggests the potential suitability of ilmenite-reinforced LM30 alloys as alternatives to traditional brake drum materials, offering improved thermal stability and wear resistance.

Comparison of Tribological Characteristics of LM13/B4C and LM13/Ilmenite Composites at High-Temperature Conditions

Abstract In this work, high-temperature tribological characteristics of ilmenite-reinforced LM13 aluminum alloy–based matrix composites (AMCs) and boron carbide–reinforced AMCs are compared. Stir-cast composites were processed using boron carbide (covalently bonded discontinuous particles (CDP)) and ilmenite (natural discontinuous particles (NDP)) particles separately as reinforcements. The particle size range was 106–125 µm, and reinforcement levels were 5, 10, and 15 wt% for both types of composites. Both composites exhibited a uniform distribution of reinforced particles and grain refinement. Compared to the LM13 base alloy, NDP composite containing 15 wt% reinforcement showed significant improvement in hardness (57%), coefficient of friction (57%), mild-to-severe wear transition temperature, average steady-state wear-rate (49%), and coefficient of thermal expansion (55%). CDP-15 composite showed slightly better properties than NDP-15 composite. Microstructure refinement, increased dimensional stability, formation of the oxide layer, and formation of tribolayer due to reinforcement of the ceramic fillers were the main reasons for the improvement in properties of processed AMCs. Scanning electron microscope (SEM)-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of wear tracks-debris showed abrasive/delamination wear as the main mechanism for materials loss. The research showed that the low-cost ilmenite particles can substitute for the very costly boron carbide particles as reinforcements in AMCs used for dry sliding wear applications under high operating temperatures–applied load conditions of the order of 300 °C–49 N.

Alkali desorption from ilmenite oxygen carrier particles used in biomass combustion

Oxygen-carrying fluidized bed materials are increasingly used in novel technologies for carbon capture and storage, and to improve the efficiency of fuel conversion processes. Potassium- and sodium-containing compounds are released during biomass combustion and may have both negative and positive effects on conversion processes. Ilmenite is an important oxygen carrier material with the ability to capture alkali in the form of titanates. This is a desirable property since it may reduce detrimental alkali effects including fouling, corrosion, and fluidized bed agglomeration. This study investigates the interactions of alkali-containing compounds with ilmenite particles previously used in an industrial scale (115 MWth) oxygen carrier aided combustion system. The ilmenite samples were exposed to temperatures up to 1000 °C under inert and oxidizing conditions while the alkali release kinetics were characterized using online alkali monitoring. Alkali desorption occurs between 630 and 800 °C, which is attributed to loosely bound alkali at or near the surface of the particles. Extensive alkali release is observed above 900 °C and proceeds during extended time periods at 1000 °C. The release above 900 °C is more pronounced under oxidizing conditions and approximately 9.1 and 3.2 wt% of the alkali content is emitted from the ilmenite samples in high and low oxygen activity, respectively. Detailed material analyses using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were conducted before and after temperature treatment, which revealed that the concentrations of potassium, sodium and chlorine decrease at the outermost surface of the ilmenite particles during temperature treatment, and Cl is depleted to a deeper level in oxidizing conditions compared to inert. The implications for ilmenite-ash interactions, oxygen carrier aided combustion and chemical looping systems are discussed.

Variable Surface Reactivity Model for Leaching Kinetics of Activated Ilmenite Particles

Variable Surface Reactivity Model for Leaching Kinetics of Activated Ilmenite Particles

The Recovery of TiO2 from Ilmenite Ore by Ammonium Sulfate Roasting–Leaching Process

TiO2 production is a key part of Ti metallurgy and Ti recycling, and the process itself has turned out to be energy-consuming and material-consuming. New technologies are needed to utilize complex Ti ores, such as ilmenite, and reduce the carbon footprint of TiO2 extraction. Ammonium sulfate roasting has been revealed as an efficient way to carry out phase transformations of complex minerals. A low-temperature sulfation roasting approach was studied to chemically breaking down the crystal structure of ilmenite and generate metal soluble sulfates simultaneously. These roasted products were introduced to water leaching, then the residue of the water leaching was leached by diluted HCl acid, and the TiO2 product was enriched in the leaching residue. The effects of roasting temperature, roasting time, ilmenite-to-ammonium sulfate mass ratio, ilmenite particle size, and second-stage roasting on iron removal and titanium loss leaching efficiency were systematically studied. The results show that the optimum roasting conditions were a roasting temperature of 500 °C, a roasting time of 210 min, an ilmenite-to-(NH4)2SO4 mass ratio of 1:7, and an ilmenite particle size of below 43 µm. Under optimized conditions, the TiO2 grade in the obtained synthetic rutile reached 75.83 wt.%. Furthermore, the phase transformation and reaction mechanism during roasting are discussed and interpreted.

Effect of time-dependent layer formation on the oxygen transport capacity of ilmenite during combustion of ash-rich woody biomass

Oxygen carrier aided combustion (OCAC) is a novel technology that aims to enhance combustion of heterogenous fuels by replacing the inert bed material with an active oxygen carrier. One of the promising oxygen carriers is natural ilmenite which shows decent oxygen transport capacity and mechanical stability under OCAC operating conditions. However, interactions between ilmenite and woody biomass ash lead to the formation of a calcium-rich ash layer, which affects the ability of the oxygen carrier (OC) to transfer oxygen throughout the boiler and subsequently decreases the combustion efficiency. This paper focuses on the time-dependent morphological and compositional changes in ilmenite bed particles and the consequence effects on the oxygen transport capacity and reactivity of ilmenite. Ilmenite utilized in this study was investigated in a 5 kW bubbling fluidized bed combustion unit, utilizing ash-rich bark pellets as fuel. A negative effect of iron migration on the oxygen transport capacity was observed in ilmenite bed particles after 6 h of operation in the bubbling fluidized bed reactor. The decrease in the oxygen transport capacity of ilmenite was found to correlate with the increased exposure time in the fluidized bed reactor and was caused by the migration and subsequent erosion of Fe from the ilmenite particles. On the other hand, the older bed particles show an increase in reaction rate, presumably due to the catalytic activity of the calcium-enriched outer layer on the bed particle surface.

Experimental study on electrostatic migration of different mineral particles composing lunar dust under electron irradiation

Dust electrostatic migration is one of the primary causes of dust events on the surface of airless celestial bodies, which can result in multiple dust phenomena, including lunar horizon glow and dust pools, and also offer crucial insights into the evolution of the surface materials of airless celestial bodies. To date, the characteristics and laws of dust electrostatic migration are still not well understood. Here, we report the electrostatic migration characteristics of pyroxene, olivine, and ilmenite particles measured by the laser Doppler method and compare them with the findings of anorthite particles in previous experiments to recognize the differential migration characteristics of different mineral components in the lunar dust. The results demonstrate that the particle sizes of most moving pyroxene and olivine particles are in the range of 0–10 μm, and their vertical velocities are typically less than 2 m s−1, which are consistent with the previous studies. The cohesive force between the dust particles is probably what causes the difference in the migration rates of various insulating minerals. Note that no moving ilmenite particles were detected probably due to the material’s good conductivity. It can be speculated that the concentration of fugitive dust in the lunar mare is affected by the ilmenite content, but further research is needed to determine how low ilmenite content can cause dust migration.

Tribological characteristics of LM13 alloy based ilmenite-boron carbide reinforced hybrid composites for brake drum applications

Aluminium matrix hybrid composites reinforced with a combination of naturally occurring ilmenite mineral particles (FeTiO3) and synthetically processed boron carbide ceramic particles (B4C) were processed using stir casting route. Reinforcement loading was varied between 0 and 15 wt. percentage (wt.%). For each loading, the two type of fillers were mixed in three wt.% ratio of 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1. Particle size range for both fillers was 106–125 μm. Operating temperature, applied load, and sliding distance were in the range of 25–300 °C, 9.8−49.0 N, and 0−3000 m respectively. Optical and scanning electron micrographs showed nearly uniform distribution of reinforced particles in the matrix. Grain size reduction and morphological changes in the constituent phases of matrix material were noted. Pin-on-disc wear set-up was used to evaluate the wear behaviour of composites (ASTM G99 standard). With increase in operating temperature, the wear rate increased. A sharp rise in wear rate was observed beyond 200 °C. 15HA-31 composite (loading: 15 wt.%; B4C to Ilmenite weight ratio: 3:1) showed maximum improvement in wear rate at all the operating temperatures exhibiting 52−71% reduction in maximum wear rate over the reference sample. Ilmenite particles reduced the coefficient of friction, promoted strong interfacial bonding, and caused early oxidation of sliding surface. On the other hand, B4C particles increased the stability of tribolayer, caused grain refinement, and resulted in morphological changes from acicular to globular for the constituent phases of matrix. Wear rate behaviour of 15HA-31 composite was comparable to the commercially used brake drum material.

Magnetic properties of ilmenite used for oxygen carrier aided combustion

Oxygen carrier aided combustion is a combustion process that utilizes oxygen carrying particles in a fluidized bed to transport oxygen from oxygen-rich to oxygen-poor regions in the reactor. A commonly used oxygen-carrying material is ilmenite (FeTiO3) which is a naturally occurring mineral. At higher oxygen partial pressures ilmenite can react to pseudobrookite (Fe2TiO5) and thereby take up oxygen. Upon reduction of pseudobrookite in oxygen-lean locations the oxygen is released, which enhances the distribution of oxygen through the reactor.Ilmenite was used as bed material in an industrial 115 MWth circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler where recycled waste wood and wood chips were utilized as fuel. Bottom ash samples were extracted after one and two weeks and the samples were separated into two fractions by a magnetic separator. The magnetic fraction was expected to be enriched in iron-containing oxides and was therefore aimed to be recirculated into the boiler.The SEM-EDS analysis revealed that the non-magnetic fraction consists to the largest extent of feldspar (KAlSi3O8) particles. A significant amount of freshly introduced ilmenite particles was also classified as non-magnetic by the magnetic separator. Characteristic for these particles was a lack of ash layer, suggesting they had only recently been added to the system. In the magnetic fraction, several feldspar particles were found which were covered by a layer rich in Ca, Fe, Ti, and Si. Comparing the XRD analysis of the ash prior to magnetic separation with its magnetic fraction revealed a decrease of the peaks corresponding to feldspar. The removal of feldspar particles by magnetic separation was further corroborated by XRF analysis, where the concentration of K, Al and Si was significantly higher in the non-magnetic fraction, however, no changes were observed in the concentration of Fe. The present analyses shows that prolonged exposure time of ilmenite increases its magnetic susceptibility. Non-magnetic feldspar was shown to acquire significant magnetic susceptibility by formation of a surface layer containing Fe-rich attrition products from ilmenite.

Tribological properties of hybrid aluminium matrix composites reinforced with boron carbide and ilmenite particles for brake rotor applications

Tribological properties of hybrid aluminium matrix composites reinforced with boron carbide and ilmenite particles for brake rotor applications

A novel force balance model for predicting defluidization of ilmenite in a fluidized bed reactor

Ilmenite particles are readily defluidized when they are reduced in a fluidized bed reactor because nano-micro iron nuclei that precipitate on the particle surface are adhesive and tend to aggregate. We propose herein a novel force balance model with which to predict defluidization phenomena. This model is based on the particle cohesion force comprising the sum of the cohesion forces for surface asperities. As the surface coverage of iron particles increases with the extent of reduction, the cohesion forces of the particles gradually increase and eventually trigger defluidization. The surface coverage predicted by the model agrees well with experimental results for 88.4 ∼ 154.7 μm particles and the temperature range 700 ∼ 850 °C. The new force balance model reveals that particle size, sphericity, and temperature play key roles in defluidization of ilmenite during reduction. Defluidization occurs readily for fine and irregular particles, especially at high temperatures. Our model combines asperity, surface coverage, and particle sphericity to make a more general prediction.

Thermodynamic Analysis on the Fate of Ash Elements in Chemical Looping Combustion of Solid Fuels─Iron-Based Oxygen Carriers

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) enables efficient combustion of hydrocarbon fuels while also producing a gas stream with high CO2 concentrations, suitable for carbon capture and storage (CCS). CLC of biomass in combination with CCS results in efficient removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, i.e., negative emissions. However, biomass and waste-derived fuels can contain significant fractions of aggressive ash precursors, which can affect the operability and functionality of oxygen carriers. In this paper, the fate of common ash elements will be investigated thermodynamically in a system utilizing iron-based oxygen carriers: ilmenite and iron oxide. Multiphase, multicomponent equilibrium calculations were performed using databases from FACT and a user-defined database, with a specific focus on alkali (K and Na) and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Pb). A detailed and comprehensive comparison with available literature data from experimental investigations was performed, and compounds not available in the databases were identified. Due to a lack of thermodynamic data in the literature, thermodynamic properties for four compounds, K0.85Fe0.85Ti0.15O2, K0.4Fe0.4Ti0.6O2, KTi8O16, and KTi8O16.5, were obtained from first-principles calculations. The fate of ash elements is studied for CLC of three biomass and waste-derived solid fuels under relevant CLC conditions: 950 °C in the fuel reactor and 1050 °C in the air reactor. Results show that the choice of the oxygen carriers largely influences the behavior of the ash elements. Compared to CLC with iron oxide, ilmenite is more beneficial with respect to high-temperature corrosion since less potassium is released into the gas phase since the titanium content in ilmenite immobilizes both potassium and calcium. For both oxygen carriers, the most corrosive compounds are expected to leave with the gas in the fuel reactor, keeping the air reactor free from chlorides. It was found that the compound KTi8O16 is stable in reducing conditions and low potassium concentrations. This is in conformity with previous experimental data, where this phase has been identified in the interior of ilmenite particles used in oxygen carrier aided combustion of wood chips.

Primary Investigation of Ilmenite Dosage Effect on the Water-Based Drilling Fluid Properties

Abstract A high-density mud is required for deep drilling operations to keep formation pressure under control and avoid the kick. The high-density mud showed several challenges including sagging issues, undesirable rheology parameters, and higher possibility of inducing formation damage. Ilmenite is a weighting material that is used to increase the density of the drilling fluid. The effect of ilmenite dosage on the density of drilling fluid, rheological parameters, filtration, and filter cake qualities was explored in this study. Three different models were used to match the rheological properties including the Bingham model, the power-law model, and the Herschel–Bulkley model. The results showed that the prepared drilling mud density was correlated exactly with the amount of ilmenite added to the formulation. Similarly, the viscosity parameters were increased as ilmenite dosage increased. Even so, the results show that the rheological behavior seems to exhibit perfect matching using the three models, Herschel–Bulkley model was showing the highest accuracy compared to the other investigated models. Notably, the filtration behavior was dominated greatly by ilmenite dosage. The filtration volume and filter cake increased drastically as the ilmenite concentration increased. Correspondingly, the filter cake permeability was increased as the ilmenite concentration increased. Meanwhile, the dense packing of ilmenite particles at high concentrations produced lower filter cake porosity. Correlations were found with excellent accuracy between the ilmenite dosage and the filtration volume and filter cake properties.

Separation Analysis of New Magnetic Separator for Pre-Concentration of Ilmenite Particles

To achieve the utilization of fine ilmenite (especially −0.075 mm) produced in the titanium-magnetite processing plant in Panzhihua, a radial turbulent outer-cylinder magnetic separator (RTOCMS), was developed in this study. After optimizing the conditions of rotation speed and water flow, an RTOCMS concentrate with TiO2 grade of 22.84% and TiO2 recovery of 66.93% was obtained through one-stage roughing pre-concentration flowsheet. Magnetic force and competing forces were calculated and analyzed to illustrate the pre-concentration mechanism, and the results revealed that the combination of high water flow and high rotation speed resulted in the most effective for pre-concentration of the fine ilmenite in the RTOCMS process. In addition, particle size analysis of the concentrate product indicated that the RTOCMS was effective for the recovery of medium particle sizes (−0.075 + 0.038 mm), with a continued enhancement for the recovery of fine-grained products (−0.038 mm). Hence, the RTOCMS provides an effective way to pre-concentrate fine ilmenite ore.

Taking advantage of glass: capturing and retaining the helium gas on the moon

Helium-3 (3He) is a noble gas that has critical applications in scientific research and promising application potential as clean fusion energy. It is thought that the lunar regolith contains large amounts of helium, but it is challenging to extract because most helium atoms are reserved in defects of crystals or as solid solutions. Here, we find large amounts of helium bubbles in the glassy surface layer of ilmenite particles that were brought back by the Chang’E-5 mission. The special disordered atomic packing structure of glasses should be the critical factor for capturing the noble helium gas. The reserves in bubbles do not require heating to high temperatures to be extracted. Mechanical methods at ambient temperatures can easily break the bubbles. Our results provide insights into the mechanism of helium gathering on the moon and offer guidance on future in situ extraction.

Effect of High Operating Temperatures on the Wear Characteristics of Boron Carbide and Ilmenite Reinforced LM13 Alloy-Based Composites

Abstract Wear properties of LM13 alloy-based composites were studied by using boron carbide (B4C) and ilmenite particles (FeTiO3) separately as reinforcement. The different weight percentage of reinforcement (5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%) was added to the base alloy through stir-casting. A comparison of B4C reinforced composites (LB composites) and FeTiO3 reinforced composites (LI composites) was done on the basis of interfacial bonding, refinement/morphology of eutectic silicon, friction, and wear behavior (both at room temperature and elevated temperature conditions). Microstructural analysis revealed uniform distribution of ceramic particles in the matrix. Significant reduction in grain size and change in morphology was obtained for LB composites whereas strong interfacial bonding was obtained for LI composites. Higher hardness, lower wear-rate, and higher coefficient of friction (COF) values were shown by LB composites. A decrease in COF for LI composites (at room as well as high temperatures) corresponded to the lubricity effect of ilmenite particles. At room temperature, wear track and debris showed a change in wear mechanism from abrasive to delamination wear with an increase in load from 10 N to 50 N. Under elevated temperature conditions, these mechanisms were combined with oxidation wear.