The feasibility for modifying the wettability and floatability of sulfide minerals by electron beam irradiation has been studied experimentally. The wettability of crystalline pyrite and floatability of some sulfide as pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite and marmatite after irradiation were examined by flotation in a modified Hallimond tube. Experimental results show that the hydrophobicity of crystalline pyrite enhances with the increase of irradiation dose in a low dose range. And the flotation responses of sulfide minerals on irradiation dosevary with the mineral species and particle size. The floatability of minerals can be regulated by altering irradiation dose. An explanationfor the mechanism has been suggested based on the principle of radiation chemistry.
A novel way for electrification of mineral particles by electron beam irradiation was proposed .The effect of irradiation dose on charge/mass ratio was investigated experimentally.The charge/mass ratio of electrified mineral powders after irradiation was measured by an instrument based on the principle of electrostatic induction.The experimental results showed that the charge/mass ratio is largely dependent on radiation dose and electric physical properties of minerals.The mechanism of electrification by electron beam irradiation is discussed.It is suggested that the essential of electrification by electron beam irradiation is a process of retardation and charge deposition of incideent elecytrons in materials.
