Limonite

Description

Limonite is a significant iron ore composed of a heterogeneous mixture of hydrated iron(III) oxide-hydroxides. Chemically characterized by a variable ratio of oxide to hydroxide, it is generally represented by the formula FeO(OH)·nH2O, typically consisting of approximately 90% iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3) and 10% water. Unlike distinct mineral species, limonite exists as an amorphous substance with a widely fluctuating composition. Along with magnetite and hematite, it serves as a primary industrial source of iron, a role it has fulfilled since antiquity. In ceramic applications, limonite acts as a potent source of iron oxide, influencing coloration and fluxing behavior in both clay bodies and glaze formulations.