Fluoride (often referred to as Fluorite in its mineral form) is a mineral composed of calcium fluoride (CaFâ‚‚). It is the primary source of fluorine and has significant industrial uses.
Uses
- Metallurgical Industry: Fluorite is used as a flux to lower the melting point of raw materials in steel production and aluminum smelting.
- Chemical Industry: It is the main source of fluorine gas, which is used to produce a variety of compounds like hydrofluoric acid (used in aluminum refining and uranium enrichment).
- Optics and Electronics: High-purity fluorite is used in optical lenses due to its low dispersion and transparency to ultraviolet light.