Experimental investigation of slag/matte/metal/ tridymite equilibria in the Cu–Fe–O–S–Si system at 1473 K (1200°C), 1523 K (1250°C) and 1573 K (1300°C)

Abstract

Abstract Laboratory experimental study was undertaken to characterise the four-phase slag/matte/metal/tridymite equilibria of the Cu-Fe-O-S-Si system at 1473 K [1200°C], 1523 K [1250° C] and 1573 [1300°C] in a "closed" system without interaction with gas phase. The research methodology involved high temperature equilibration, ultra-fast quenching of the equilibrated samples followed by quantitative measurement of the equilibrated phases by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Attainment of chemical equilibrium was carefully checked by the 4-points test approach. The results obtained in the present study provide reliable fundamental experimental information, which is crucial for the development and optimisation of the multicomponent thermodynamic database for copper-containing systems.