SOLID PHASE REACTIONS WITH TUNELLITE MINERAL

SUMMARY. — The solid phase reactions between tunellite mineral (SrO • 3B2O3 • 4H2O) and Na2CO3 have been investigated. The yield of the solid phase reactions which take place between both the original mineral and the dehydratized form and Na2CO3 have been studied for a series of temperatures. The yield is approximately 25-27 percent. These solid phase reactions were investigated also with DTA and X-ray analyses. It is observed once more that tunellite mineral has been transformed into veatchite, after 500°C temperature. The product at the end does not consist only of Na2B4O7, but some other intermediate and end products of sodium boron compounds have been formed. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY Until recently it has been thought that the substances could only react in their liquid forms. Some experiments, however, were made to prove the opposite of this assumption. For example, in 1900, it has been shown that, brass will be formed as a result of grinding the mixture of copper and zinc powder and heating them at the same time. Furthermore it is shown that calcium oxide an