Penetration Behavior of CaO-SiO2-FeOx-MgO-(CaCl2) Slags in MgO Refractory

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of CaCl2 addition on the penetration behavior of BOF slags in MgO refractory. Slag viscosity and surface tension as well as the contact angle between the slags and MgO refractory were measured. It is found that the penetration depth increases with experimental time. Adding CaCl2 to BOF slag will enhance the penetration depth of the slags in MgO refractory. The viscosity and surface tension as well as contact angle are reduced by the addition of CaCl2 into the slags. The improved fluidity and wettability are the main reasons for the increase in penetration depth. The degradation mechanism of MgO refractory by CaCl2-added BOF slag was discussed, and both chemical reactions and slag penetration take place during the degradation. The structure of the MgO refractory influences the degradation evidently. For dense refractory, adding CaCl2 may be beneficial to lower the degradation; while it accelerates the degradation of porous refractory.