The feasibility for modifying the wettability and floatability of sulfideminerals by electron beam irradiation has been studied experimentally. The wettability ofcrystalline pyrite and floatability of some sulfide as pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite andmarmatite after irradiation were examined by flotation in a modified Hallimond tube. Experimentalresults show that the hydrophobicity of crystalline pyrite enhances with the increase of irradiationdose in a low dose range. And the flotation responses of sulfide minerals on irradiation dose varywith the mineral species and particle size. The floatability of minerals can be regulated byaltering irradiation dose. An explanation for the mechanism has been suggested based on theprinciple of radiation chemistry.
A novel way for electrification of mineral particles by electronbeam irradiation was proposed. The effect of irradiation dose oncharge/mass ratio was investigated experimentally. The charge/massratio of electrified mineral powders after irradiation was meas- uredby an instrument based on the principle of electrostatic induction.The experimental results showed that the charge/mass ratio is lar-gely dependent on radiation dose and electric physical properties ofminerals. The mechanism of electrification by electron beam irradi-ation is discussed. it is suggested that the essential ofelectrification by electron beam irradiation is a process ofretardation and charge deposition of incident electrons in materials.
