The raw stone of lithium ore mainly contains non-metallic minerals such as lithium silicate, which is powdery or massive, pink, yellow-green, etc., and its hardness is low. Lithium content is generally above 1.5%. Lithium is a silvery white alkali metal element, which is soft and easy to be oxidized and darkened. It is the lightest of all metal elements. Compared with other alkali metals, lithium has the smallest compressibility, the largest hardness and the highest melting point.
The chemical properties of metallic lithium are very active. Under certain conditions, it can react with most nonmetals except rare gases, but it is not as easy as other alkali metals. Lithium is also the only alkali metal element that reacts with nitrogen at room temperature.
The content of lithium in the earth's crust is about 0.0065%, and there are more than 150 known lithium-containing minerals, mainly in the form of spodumene, lepidolite, petalite and variscite.
Spodumene
Grayish white, smoky gray, grayish green. Emerald spodumene is called emerald spodumene, which is caused by Cr in the composition, and Mn in the composition is purple and purple spodumene; Glass luster, cleavage surface slightly pearl luster; The included angle is 87; The hardness is 6.5 ~ 7; The relative density is 3.03~3.23g/cm3. The chemical composition of spodumene is relatively stable, the chemical formula is Lial [Si2O3], and the theoretical lithium content is 3.75% (lithium oxide is 8.04%).
Lepidolite
Lepidolite is the most common lithium mineral and an important mineral for extracting lithium. It is a basic aluminosilicate of potassium and lithium, belonging to one of mica minerals. Lepidolite is generally only produced in granite pegmatite, which is purple and pink in color and can be shallow to colorless. This type of minerals non metallic has pearl luster and is in the form of short columns, small flake aggregates or large plate crystals. The composition is KLi1.5Al1.5[AlSi3O10](F,OH)2, and LiO2 content is 1.23~5.90%.
Petalite
Petalite is a framework silicate mineral. Chemical formula H4AlLiO10Si4, white or yellow, occasionally pink, monoclinic, usually blocky, glassy, pearly on cleavage surface, Mohs hardness of 6 ~ 6.5, density of 2.3 ~ 2.5g/cm3, brittle. It is mainly produced in granite pegmatite and coexists with spodumene, caesium garnet and colored tourmaline. In order to extract lithium, it can be used as raw materials for ceramics and special glass.
Phosphorite
Phosphate minerals [(Li, Na) alpo4 (F, OH)] of lithium, sodium and aluminum is a lithium ore. Produced in granite pegmatite rich in lithium and phosphate, it is often a large white translucent block, and the good quality has been regarded as a gem with a density of 3.02 g/cm3. Mohs hardness is 5~6.
Lithium ore is used to manufacture lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion battery is one of the most widely used batteries in people's daily life. For example, electric cars, smart phones, laptops, tablet computers and other portable electronic devices all need lithium-ion batteries. Lithium in lithium ore can be made into the cathode material necessary for batteries, and can also be made into some materials in other components.
Lithium ore is used for smelting metal. Lithium can be purified into metallic lithium, which has very high chemical reactivity and conductivity and can be used to manufacture some corrosion-resistant metal alloys and some special electronic components.
Lithium ore is used to make ceramics. Lithium can be added to ceramic materials.
Adding its strength and heat resistance, thus making ceramic products more upscale and beautiful. Some high-end pottery
Porcelain products, such as tableware, sanitary ware and works of art, all need lithium ore.
Lithium ore is used in medicine and cosmetics. Lithium salt can be used to make some medicines and some cosmetics, such as mouthwash, anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, anticancer drugs and sunscreen cream. Lithium salt can help stabilize the pH value in cosmetics, thus increasing its stability and effectiveness.
