Effect of CeO2 on heat transfer and crystallization behavior of rare earth alloy steel mold fluxes

Abstract

To improve the heat transfer capability and the crystallization property of the traditional mold flux, CaF2 was replaced with B2O3. Then, the influences of CeO2 on the heat transfer and the crystallization of the CaF2-bearing mold flux and the new mold flux with 10wt% B2O3 were studied using a slag film heat flux simulator and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that the addition of CeO2 reduced the heat transfer by increasing the solid slag thickness and the crystallization of two mold fluxes. However, CeO2 had less effect on the B2O3-containing mold flux compared with the CaF2-bearing mold flux. According to the analyses, the CeO2 contents in the CaF2-bearing mold flux and the B2O3-containing mold flux should not exceed 8wt% and 12wt%, respectively. Therefore, these experimental results are beneficial to improve and develop the mold flux for casting rare earth alloy steels.