Fluorspar is a commodity mineral that can be found in a variety of grades, ranging from acid grade fluorspar, which has around 97% calcium fluoride (CaF2), to lower grades that come as a byproduct of other mining activities. It is one of the most important raw materials for making fluoro polymers, an important high performance plastic material with a wide range of uses. It is also used in glass manufacturing, aluminum production, and in the production of feedstock for hydrofluoric acid, a substance used in the production of a host of products.
Acid grade fluorspar, also known as acidspar, is the main source of fluorspar for producing industrial products. It is the highest grade of fluorspar available, containing over 97% CaF2. It is a white, grey, or yellowish powder, and is the primary raw material used in the production of fluoro polymers and other fluoro chemicals.
Acid grade fluorspar is also used in a wide range of other products, like tiles, flat glass, fluoroelastomers, refrigeration equipment, and composite materials. The highest quality of fluorspar is used for specialty applications, such as for making electrodes for electrical arc furnaces.
Metallurgical grade fluorspar is used mainly in the steel industry. It is mined from relatively low-grade ore, typically containing between 60 and 80% CaF2. The main uses of this grade are for fluxing agents in steel production and for providing fluoride for reducing the time needed for steel smelting. In addition, it can be used in the production of ceramics and glass, and as an anti-stick agent in the coating of metals.
Ceramic and glass grade fluorspar has a slightly lower purity than the acid grade, with typically between 75 and 95 % CaF2. It is widely used in the production of ceramics and glasses, due to its high heat resistance, brightness and corrosion resistance.
By-product grade fluorspar is the lowest grade, with a composition of around 30 to 45 % CaF2. This grade of fluorspar is produced as a by-product of other mining activities, typically as a result of zinc and barite mining. By-product grade fluorspar is mainly used as a flux in iron and steel production, as well as for production of sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid and glassware.
Overall, the market for fluorspar is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, and fluorspar producers will continue to benefit from growing demand, particularly from the key end-user industries of steel production, aluminum production and fluoro-chemicals.
