Improvement in flowability, oxidation resistance and water wettability of graphite powders by TiO2 coating

Surface treatment is one of the most efficient ways to improve the water wettability, flowability and oxidation resistance of graphite powders used in castable refractories. In this study, the above properties of graphite powders coated with TiO2 (formed by heating Ti(OCH2CH2CH2CH3)(4) at 120 degrees C in air) were investigated. The results showed that the wettability and flowability of the graphite powders were greatly improved when the amount of TiO2 coated was more than 0.5 mass%, and the oxidation resistance increased with increasing amount of TiO2 coated. The above improvement in the properties of the graphite powders was considered to be related to the changes in the size, shape and surface state of the powders.