Laboratory Study on the Sintering Behavior of Zircon‐Based Ladle Filler Sands

• Published in: Steel research international 2021-09, Vol.92 (9), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Deng, Zhiyin, Yang, Boran, Zhu, Miaoyong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum killed steels; Chromite; Decomposition reactions; filler sands; Fillers; Grains; Laboratories; ladle free openings; Ladle metallurgy; Liquid alloys; Liquid phases; liquid steels; Mullite; Sand; Sintering; Zircon
• ISSN: 1611-3683; 1869-344X
• DOI: 10.1002/srin.202100071

To understand the sintering behavior of zircon‐based filler sands, laboratory experiments are conducted, and the effect of steel grades containing different contents of Mn and Al is studied. The results show that zircon filler sands have a sufficient sintering performance without the influence of steel. The reaction between the mullite grains and the decomposed zircon grains results in the formation of a liquid phase, making the sand grains bond. Liquid steel (even liquid pure iron) evidently impacts the sintering of zircon filler sands. Similar to chromite filler sands, the effect of Mn in liquid steel on the sintering of zircon filler sands is also remarkable, whereas the effect of Al (up to 250 ppm) is not so profound due to the existence of the mullite grains. In most cases of conventional Al‐killed steel grades (Al ≤ 300 ppm), zircon‐based filler sands show a sufficient sintering effect, whereas they are not suitable for high‐Mn and high‐Al steel grades due to the serious sintering result. The sintering behaviors of zircon‐based filler sands are investigated in the laboratory, and the effects of liquid steel containing different Mn and Al contents on the sintering of the sands are focused on. The application possibility of the sands for high‐Mn and high‐Al steel grades is also discussed.