Effect of Ce2O3 on Viscosity and Structure for CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-based Mold Flux

The viscosity of 30%CaO-30%SiO2-15%Al2O3-5%MgO-10%Na2O-10%CaF2-xCe(2)O(3) (mass%, x = 0, 5, 10, 15) were measured by the rotating column method, and then the viscosity and the Tbr (break temperature) of the mold flux were analyzed based on the results. Meanwhile, the structural characteristics of the mold flux were investigated using Raman spectroscopy and XRD (X-ray diffraction). The results show that Ce2O3 predominantly destroys the silicate network structure at high temperature, reduces the polymerization degree of the mold flux, simplifies the high-temperature structure of the mold flux, and reduces the friction resistance of viscous flow. From the apparent phenomenon, the viscosity of the mold flux decreases at high temperature. In addition, with the increase of Ce2O3 content in the mold flux, Ca4Si2O2F changes to Ce9.33(SiO4)(6)O-2, which enhances the crystallization ability of the mold flux and increases the Tbr of the mold flux.