Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) powder, derived from natural marble, is crucial in many industries, including construction, coatings, plastics, and rubber. The physical and chemical properties of GCC depend on the crystal structure and particle size of the raw marble. This article explores the characteristics and performance of different marble types used for ground calcium carbonate (GCC) powder production. These include coarse crystal cluster marble, coarse spherical crystal marble, fine spherical crystal marble, and microcrystalline marble. Understanding these differences helps optimize processing efficiency and product quality.
Coarse Crystal Cluster Marble
During the metamorphic process, marble undergoes recrystallization under high temperature and pressure conditions over long periods. This results in a high degree of recrystallization and the formation of a composite marble mineral. Coarse crystal cluster marble has visible crystal aggregates, typically ranging from 3 to 7 mm in size. When broken, it forms cleavage surfaces with noticeable high gloss, exhibiting a flaky or prismatic structure. It often contains a mixture of small and medium-sized crystals. The marble is hard and brittle.
It is important to note that even with the same calcite mineral, the crystal lattice structure and aggregation states can differ. Coarse crystal cluster marble exhibits performance similar to calcite. Its oil absorption, milling efficiency, and flowability are far superior to those of ordinary microcrystalline marble.
Coarse Spherulite Marble
It is a type of marble ore with weak crystal adhesion. The ore is easy to break and pulverize. Its minimum diameter is about 2 to 5 mm, and it mainly has a multi-faceted prism structure.
This ore is very suitable for sand processing or for use in roller mills and ball mills. However, it is not suitable for vertical mills or other powder-making equipment with large air volumes.
Fine Spherical Crystal Marble
This type of marble ore has weak adhesion between crystal particles, making it easy to pulverize. The ore consists of semi-transparent, snow-white spherical crystal aggregates.
White fine spherical crystal marble is suitable for producing high-whiteness calcium sand and powder. However, due to its tendency to easily pulverize, the milling efficiency is not high.
Microcrystalline Marble
This type of marble ore has finer crystal particles and is relatively dense.
It has a hard texture and few defects, meeting the requirements for building materials. It can be used as a raw material for high-end stone products. Higher-quality varieties are also referred to as “Han Baiyu” (a type of premium white marble).
Higher purity ore can be used to produce coatings, masterbatches, and ground calcium carbonate powder for breathable membranes using the slurry method.
Ores with medium purity and good whiteness can be used to produce colored sand, road marking paint, and other sands or powders, taking advantage of their high hardness.
Conclusion
In general, marble ores with different crystal structures show clear performance differences in applications. Choosing the right type of ore is crucial for improving production efficiency and product quality. Coarse-crystal marble, coarse spherulite marble, fine spherulite marble, and microcrystalline marble each have unique advantages and application scopes. With the continuous improvement of ore processing technology, these marble ores are expected to play a more important role in construction, coatings, chemicals, and other industries.
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