Influence of CaO content on viscosity of molten CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system

Purpose: The objective of this work is experimental determination of temperature dependences of viscosity of the molten CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system and assessment of impact of CaO on the viscosity of this system. Design/methodology/approach: The ternary oxide system CaO-Al2O3-SiO2, which represents a simplified basis of the casting powder, was chosen for the experiment. Dependencies of viscosity on the concentration of CaO and on the temperature were determined experimentally. For this purpose were prepared a concentration series with additions of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 wt.% of calcium oxide. Experimental measurements of viscosity was performed with use of the high-temperature viscometer Anton Paar FRS 1600. Findings: Viscosity of the studied systems decreases exponentially with the increasing temperature. Viscosity decreases with the increasing addition of CaO. Viscosity reaches its minimum value of 0.447 Pa.s (at T = 1723 K) at the basicity of CaO/SiO2 = 1.13. Viscosity increases with the further addition of CaO (CaO/SiO2 > 1.2). Influence of addition of CaO is more pronounced at higher temperatures. Research limitations/implications: Viscosity in molten oxide system is determined by the internal structure. Exact clarification of the change of structure of the oxide system caused by the increased content of CaO requires additional analyses, such as Fourier transformation infrared spectra and Raman spectra. Practical implications: The choice of an optimum slag mode influences not only the main metallurgical processes, but also the values of technical-economic indicators of the whole steelmaking process. Viscosity is an important factor affecting the service properties of slags, as it plays an important role in the area of mass transfer at chemical reactions in metallurgical processes. Originality/value: The viscosities of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system were measured under conditions of CaO/SiO2 = 0.78-1.44, 47.20-35.98 wt.% SiO2, 36.90-51.90 wt.% CaO and 15.90-12.12 wt.% Al2O3.