Degradation mechanisms of alumina–silica runner refractories by carbon steel during ingot casting process

The corrosion behavior of alumina-silica (Al₂O₃–SiO₂) refractories by liquid carbon steel was studied. This was performed by a refractory crucible test in a vacuum induction furnace at 1520–1545 °C under reducing atmosphere. The results indicate that Mn, Si and a minor amount of Fe in the steel were oxidized at steel/refractory interface, combing with refractory components to form a MnO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–based slag. This slag was liquid at the testing temperature, and infiltrated along the open-pore network and the grain boundaries into the Al₂O₃–SiO₂ refractories. Both Al₂O₃–rich and Al₂O₃–SiO₂ aggregates in the refractories dissolved into the infiltrating slag. As a result, the refractories were structurally weakened and residual Al₂O₃–rich and Al₂O₃–SiO₂ aggregates in the hot face of the refractories were washed away into the liquid steel, affecting steel quality.publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Degradation mechanisms of alumina–silica runner refractories by carbon steel during ingot casting process journaltitle: Ceramics International articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.03.139 content_type: article copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.status: publishe