Water-CaO-Al2O3 Join Interaction: Crystallization Behavior Investigation Using the Single Hot Thermocouple Technique (SHTT)

Calcium aluminate system is widely used in several ceramic and metallurgical materials and processes such as tundish and mold slags for continuous casting process. In the case of mold powders, they play significant role during the steel solidification process and knowing its physicochemical properties is crucial in the study of slag behavior. In this context, the crystallization tendency of the mold powders plays a significant role in essential properties such as viscosity-which is fundamental to the efficiency of the casting process. In the present study, the effect of a water vapor atmosphere on the crystallization behavior of the CaO-Al2O3 join is investigated using the single hot thermocouple technique. Distinct crystallization behaviors in presence of water vapor atmosphere are observed, according to the temperature range. Hindering of crystallization onset occurs at a temperature range above 1150 degrees C. For the temperature range below 1150 degrees C, crystallization improvement can be observed. The resulting time-transformation-temperature diagrams show the influence of temperature on the effect of water vapor upon crystallization, denoting the amphoteric nature of water.

Automated summary

The calcium aluminate system is widely used in ceramic and metallurgical materials, with the crystallization tendency of mold powders playing a crucial role in the efficiency of the casting process. Studies have shown that the presence of a water vapor atmosphere affects the crystallization behavior of the CaO-Al2O3 join, with temperature having an influence on the process.