Properties of Magnetite

Magnetite is a type of iron ore and a naturally occurring magnetic mineral. It is composed of iron(II) and iron(III) oxide (Fe3O4) and is one of the main sources of iron for the steel industry.

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Image of magnetite mineral
Credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com - CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a comprehensive list of magnetite properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Note: click on the button to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Magnetite Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Chemical FormulaFe3O4
Molar Mass231.538 g/mol
Crystal SystemCubic
Mohs Hardness5.5 - 6.5
Density5170 - 5200 kg/m3
ColorBlack
DiaphaneityOpaque
LusterMetallic
CleavageNone
FractureSubconchoidal
StreakBlack
Electrical PropertiesMetric
Electrical Resistivity5.6×10-7 Ω·m
Optical PropertiesMetric
Refractive Index (nD)2.42

Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.