PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL STUDIES OF SLAG OF PRODUCTION OF LOW-CARBON FERROCHROME - COMPONENT OF HEAT-RESISTANT BINDER MATERIAL

Abstract

The aim of the work is physicochemical studies of chemical and mineralogical composition of the slag from the production of low-carbon ferrochrome proposed to use as a component of heat-resistant binder. As a result of studies, it was found that the main crystal phase in the slag is calcium orthosilicate in the form of γ-Ca2SiO4 modification, which is also partially in the form of α-Ca2SiO4, and magnesian silicates in the form of forsterite Mg2SiО4. The main properties of the slag such as density, specific surface, dispersiveness, refractoriness are determined by the properties of the dominant mineral- calcium orthosilicate. Under conditions of slow cooling of the slag melt, the main mineral in the slag composition, i.e. calcium orthosilicate β-Ca2SiO4 passes into γ-Ca2SiO4 modification with increase in the volume of crystal lattice by ~ 12%, which leads to self-destruction and transition of the slag to a dust state. The results of studies of the specific surface, determination of the average particle size, the results of sieve analysis showed that the slag from the production of low-carbon ferrochrome is a finely dispersed gray powder with the following characteristics: the specific surface is 2955 cm2/g, the average particle size is 6.8 μm, the true density is 3.01 g/cm3, the bulk density is 739 kg/m3. When using the finely dispersed slag from the production of low-carbon ferrochrome as a component of composite binders, the energy-consuming process of its fine grinding can be eliminated. Currently, the slag from the production of low-carbon ferrochrome is practically not used as a secondary mineral raw material. However, the physicochemical properties of the minerals making up the slag allow to recommend it as a component for the manufacture of heat-resistant materials. The results of physical and chemical studies can be used to develop effective technologies for integrated processing of low-carbon ferrochrome slags.