Seaforth Mineral

Metallurgical Grade Fluorspar, also referred to as ‘metspar’, calcium fluoride, fluorite or CaF₂ is an essential raw material for steel producers, ceramics and chemical industries. CaF₂ is composed of 51.1% calcium and 48.9% fluorine. Metspar is about 60%-85% calcium fluoride depending on where it is sourced and what residual elements are in the deposits. Metspar is widely used in the steel making process as a fluxing agent. The fluorspar affects the slag, (a stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore) by making it more fluid. Metspar, or fluorspar in general, also decreases the melting point for the raw iron ore referred to as temperature control and removes additional impurities such as sulfur and phosphorus. Fluorspar takes its name from the Latin word “fluo” which means “flow” because as it lowers the melting point of ores to make steel, the ores flow more easily. Metspar also reduces any re-oxidation (for example rusting) of the final liquid metal.

Wollastonite is a calcium inosilicate mineral (CaSiO₃) with a theoretical makeup of approximately 48% calcium oxide and 52% silicon dioxide. Wollastonite is usually white in color. It may contain small amounts of iron, magnesium, and manganese which can give it a gray, red, or brown tint. Wollastonite is an industrially important mineral. It is well known for its good fluorescence. It also has low moisture and absorption properties.

Barium Carbonate is also known as witherite and used in applications such as bricks, ceramics, glazes, cement, the chemical industry and as a flux. The formula is BaC0₃ and other names include carbonic acid, barium salt and barium monocarbonate. It is manufactured from barite (barium sulfate) and is a white powder that comes in several variations of grain sizes.

Acid Grade Fluorspar or acidspar (CaF₂), is a fine grained material composed of 51.1% calcium and 48.9% fluorine. Acidspar is generally 97% - 99.9% calcium fluoride depending on the deposits, mining techniques and processing techniques.  Fluorite, generally called acidspar, is used to make hydrofluoric acid for refrigerants, as a flux for the steel industry, in glazes, fritz and enamels for glass and ceramics industries and household items such as toothpaste.

Strontium Carbonate is a safe, white powder not to be reacted with acids except under proper supervision. It is a flux and is not very soluble in water. The ceramic industry uses it in making glazes. Many magnet manufacturers use strontium as a major key ingredient. Steel producers are a user industry too. Strontium carbonate is a weak base and is reacted with many acids to produce unique products. The most fascinating application is strontium salts used to create a bright red color in fireworks and flares.