Improvement of Resistance of MgO-Based Refractory to Slag Penetration by In Situ Spinel Formation

MgO-in situ spinel substrate was prepared at 1773 K (1500 degrees C) using colloidal alumina suspension and coarse MgO as raw materials. While the addition of 10 mass pct colloidal alumina had limited effect, addition of 20 mass pct colloidal alumina into the MgO matrix improved greatly the resistance of the substrate against the slag penetration at 1873 K (1600 degrees C). The improvement was found to be mainly related to the formation of solid phases, CaO center dot Al2O3 and CaO center dot MgO center dot Al2O3 at the grain boundaries due to slag-spinel reaction. Putting the reacted substrate into contact again with new slag revealed no appreciable new slag penetration. The results showed a potential solution to improve the resistance of MgO-based refractory to slag penetration and to improve steel cleanness. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2014