Mullitization process of andalusite concentrates – Role of natural inclusions

In the article the results of investigations into the mullitization process of two andalusite concentrates are presented. XRD, XRF and ICP investigations revealed nearly identical phase and chemical composition of both concentrates. However, the andalusites considerably differ in the rate of the mullitization process. XPS and LM investigations revealed that the factors responsible for mullitization include not only the content of mineral inclusions and grain size distribution but also impurities dispersion and the content of naturally occurring carbon in andalusite grains.