Formation mechanism of Ti(C, N) solid solution in Al-brown fused alumina refractory at 1973 K in flowing N2

Abstract

Brown fused alumina is a cost-effective alumina material, and the state of Ti in alumina has a great influence on its high-temperature performance. In this paper, the Ti-containing phases in brown fused alumina particles and Al-brown fused alumina refractory were successfully transformed into Ti(C,N) at 1973 K in flowing N2. The evolution of the Ti-containing phases in brown fused alumina under high temperature and nitrogen conditions was investigated by XRD, SEM and EDS. The results show that the Ti-containing phases in brown fused alumina include Ti2O3, Ti(C,N,O), TiFeSi2, Ca0·95Mg0·9Al10·1(Ti)O17 and a low-melting point Ca3Al2Si3(Mg,Ti)O12 phase. Under high temperature and nitrogen conditions, the TiO2[liquid], MgO[liquid] and SiO2[liquid] in the low-melting point phase are transformed into Ti(C,N), Mg(g) and SiO(g), while they are supplemented from Ti2O3, Ti(C,N,O) and Ca0·95Mg0·9Al10·1(Ti)O17. After heat treatment at 1973 K for 3 h, Ti2O3 and Ti(C,N,O) disappear, Ca0·95Mg0·9Al10·1(Ti)O17 is transformed into plate-like Ca0·55Al11O17.05, and Ti(C,N) is formed on the surface of the corundum particles. The formation of Ti(C,N) reduces the porosity of the brown fused alumina particles and increases their strength.