Fluorspar is the commercial name for the mineral fluorite (calcium fluoride, CaF2), which, when pure, consists of 51.1 per cent calcium and 48.9 per cent fluorine. In nature, however, small amounts of silicon, lime, sulphur, phosphorus, aluminum, iron and magnesium are also usually present due to impurities and inclusions. Fluorine represents around 0.06 to 0.09 per cent of the earth’s crust and predominantly occurs in the mineral fluorspar.

Fluorite is deposited in veins by hydrothermal processes. In these rocks it often occurs as a gangue mineral associated with metallic ores. Fluorite is also found in the fractures and cavities of some limestone and dolomites. It is a very common rock-forming mineral found in many parts of the world. In the mining industry, fluorite is often called "fluorspar."

Commercial fluorspar is graded according to quality and specification into acid-grade, metallurgical grade and ceramic grade.

Fluorspar is principal industrial source of the element fluorine and is most commonly used in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid. 

Fluorspar has a low melting point, and when added to metallurgical slags, it imparts greater fluidity at lower temperatures, thus making it valuable as a flux in smelting. 

World Wide Usage

A

Acid Grade (CaF2 >97%, SiO2 1%, CaCO3 1.5%, S 0.05%, P2O5 0.05%, Al2O3, Fe2O3, etc) Wet Powder

1.From Hydrofluoric Acid

Fluorocarbons, e.g. new generation of zero ozone depleting potential and low global warming potential refrigerant gases hydrofluoroolefins (HFO’s)

PTFE - Poly Tetra Fluor Ethylene (Brand name Teflon and Infolone), PVDF, FKM, etc

Fire extinguishers, Aerosol Can Propellants, Blowing Agent for Foam

Printing Ink, Paint, Non Stick coating, Gaskets, Anti corrosive lining

Electrical and electronic appliances

Lithium batteries

Pharmaceuticals and Agrochemicals

Petrochemical catalysts, Stainless Steel Pickling, Printer Circuit Board

2.AlF3 – Raw Material for Aluminum extraction

B

Metallurgical Grade (CaF2 97%<80%, SiO2, CaCO3, S, P2O5, Al2O3, Fe2O3, etc) Dry Powder, Lumps, Briquette

1.Flux in Steel Production, open hearth oxygen and electric arc furnaces where it acts to reduces slag viscosity, lowers the melting point and removes impurities such as sulphur and phosphorus from steel

2.Stainless Steel removal of impurities during melting as a slag-forming agent and reduce viscosity, regulate C/S Ratio