EVALUATING MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF IRON ORE PELLETS FROM ITAKPE AND AGBAJA BLENDS

The determination of the mechanical properties of resultant pellets of Itakpe and Agbaja iron ore blends were carried out. The drop number determined gave a value of 3.89cm, at 70/30 Itakpe / Agbaja blend proportion ratio. The best drop resistance for Itakpe /Agbaja iron ore blend ratio at 60/40 with the corresponding value at 4.78cm. The best green compressive strength value at 11.98 N/P with corresponding blend ratio at 80/20 of Itakpe/Agbaja iron ore. The dry compression strength has a value of 34.7N/P with a corresponding blend ratio of 70/30 for Itakpe / Agbaja. The Itakpe / Agbaja blend ratio of 70/30 gave optimum indurating compressive strength of 2592.40N/P which indicates that this ratio is the best suitable for the reduction and production of liquid pig iron in the Blast Furnace and Direct Reduced Iron processes. These results further connotes that the sufficient mechanical strength for pellets for 70/30 Itakpe / Agbaja blend ratio gave better value. The best moisture content for Itakpe / Agbaja iron ore at 50/50, while the corresponding value was 6.76ml. The tumbler index value for Itakpe / Agbaja iron ore at 93.83% while the corresponding blend ratio value at 60/ 40. The best abrasion index value was obtained at a blend ratio of 60/40 for Itakpe / Agbaja iron ore, while the corresponding value was 4.59%. The microporosity value was achieved at a blend ratio of 10/90 Itakpe/ Agbaja iron ore, while the corresponding value was 9.98%.