Titanium deoxidation reactions in liquid iron

Abstract

AbstractAn experimental study has been made of the equilibrium between titanium and oxygen in liquid iron at 1625° and 1700°C. Equilibrium was established between liquid Fe-Ti-O alloys held in Ti3O5 or Al2O3 crucibles and water vapor-hydrogen gas mixtures which were used to control the oxygen potential of the melt. The gas mixture was bubbled through the melt to give good gas-metal contact and to avoid thermal diffusion effects. In the reactionTi3O5(s) + 5H2(g) ⇌ 3 Ti + 5H2O(g)equilibrium was attained both by reduction of the solid oxide crucible and by oxidation of titanium in the alloy. Quenched samples obtained by suction into SiO2 tubes were analyzed chemically for titanium and by vacuum fusion for oxygen. X-ray diffraction techniques were used to identify the products of deoxidation. Thermodynamic data for Fe-Ti-O alloys are presented and the use of SiO2 sampling tubes at low oxygen potentials is discussed. Results are compared with published data and it is suggested that titanium decreases appreciab...